World Matchplay Darts 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Humphries BEATS Michael van Gerwen to claim title in Blackpool – reaction
LUKE HUMPHRIES has beaten Michael van Gerwen 18-15 to claim the World Matchplay title in Blackpool.
Cool Hand adds the Phil Taylor trophy to his ever-expanding collection of darts honours as the 29-year-old continues to take the sport by storm.
Humphries will go home £200,000 richer following his emphatic triumph at the Winter Gardens.
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Humphries on winning the Matchplay
Luke Humphries was ecstatic after winning the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
He said: I feel more emotional than when I won the Worlds. I got lucky that Michael missed some doubles.
“I was feeling nervy and under pressure, I won’t lie.
"He missed a few doubles and let me in. I don’t care, I'm the Matchplay champion now.
I feel blessed to be on this stage and hold this trophy and to follow great players, especially Phil Taylor.
"To put my name on it, I’m absolutely over the moon.”
Credit: Rex World Matchplay Darts 2024 prize money
Luke Humphries cooped up a cool £200,000 alongside his trophy at the Matchplay last night.
Here's what the rest of the contestants were walking away with.
- Winner: £200,000
- Runner-up: £100,000
- Semi-finalists: £50,000
- Quarter-finalists: £30,000
- Second round: £15,000
- First round: £10,000
Humphries' 'classy gesture'
Fans hailed Luke Humphries for his "typically classy gesture" in yesterday's final.
That came when fans tried to boo Michael van Gerwen.
Luke pleaded with the crowd to stop the booing, which he was successful in doing.
He went on to win the final 18-15.
Family moment
Before his final against MVG, Luke Humphries took a moment to share his family on Instagram.
They have been with him every step of the way in Blackpool.
MVG laments luck
Michael Van Gerwen admitted he made mistakes in his defeat to Luke Humphries.
He said: "I made mistakes and I still feel I was the better player.
"Luke is a fantastic player and we know what he is capable of. I think I deserved a little bit more today,"
Humphries celebrates
He came, he conquered.
Luke Humphries reigned supreme in Blackpool.
The trophy suits him.
Humphries reacts
Luke Humphries admitted winning the World Matchplay Darts final was more 'emotional' than winning at Ally Pally.
“I feel more emotional than when I won the Worlds. I got lucky that Michael missed some doubles," he said.
“I was feeling nervy and under pressure, I won’t lie.
"He missed a few doubles and let me in. I don’t care, I'm the Matchplay champion now.
I feel blessed to be on this stage and hold this trophy and to follow great players, especially Phil Taylor.
"To put my name on it, I’m absolutely over the moon.”
Darts report
Luke Humphries was victorious against Michael Van Gerwen in the World Matchplay Darts final.
Read our report below.
PDC Darts celebrates
Luke Humphries' triumphant win against MVG was celebrated by PDC darts on their Twitter.
Fantastic bit of art work below.
Humphries wins
Luke Humphries is your World Matchplay Darts champion.
The reigning world champion adds yet another title to his name.
You can't say he hasn't deserved it, although MVG wasn't giving up without a fight.
Humphries 18-15 Van Gerwen
What resilience from MVG.
He's nailed a 180 for a potential 11 dart throw, with Humphries not on a finish.
MVG leaves a nervy double 8.
Unbelievably he misses all three throws!
Humphries can seal it with 100... quite incredibly, against all the odds, he gets it. A double-double finish to seal the deal.
Humphries 17-15 Van Gerwen
This is incredible.
MVG just misses out on the 160 he nailed previously.
Then he misses all double 10's needed for 20 to equal things up.
But Luke gets his double 10! He's throwing for the title. What tension.
Humphries 16-15 Van Gerwen
Is Humphries having a wobble?
He can't finish 167, but Van Gerwen has a horrible visit scoring just 15.
Humphries loses his mojo, allowing MVG to find the double 16 he needs.
The final is in the balance again.
Humphries 16-14 Van Gerwen
What!
A 160 checkout now from MVG, who won't be gifting this title to Humphries.
Brilliant stuff from Van Gerwen.
Humphries 16-13 Van Gerwen
Wow!
Double 16 for a 131 checkout puts the world champ now within two.
MVG cannot afford any mistakes now. The pressure is on.
Humphries 15-13 Van Gerwen
Humphries couldn't take out the ton, but leaves himself 40.
MVG scrapes the bull for a 164 finish. Incredibly close.
Humphries keeps calm to secure his double 20 to secure a two leg lead.
He's within three.
Humphries 14-13 Van Gerwen
Humphries needs the Big Fish, but leaves a 102 finish.
MVG needs 80. Scores 40, missing the double top.
But he breaks back in the end after Humphries' poor throw.
Interestingly, and rather sportingly, Humphries waved to the crowd to stop someone from whistling on MVG's throw.
Humphries 14-12 Van Gerwen
Humphries couldn't get 100, and has to settle for 60.
MVG was sloppy to leave himself with 16, when he should have close the leg.
Double 10 and Humphries is over the line.
Humphries 13-12 Van Gerwen
MVG has hit four of his last 180's in his last five legs.
He is motoring now.
But he's left Humphries having a look at 86.
And he finds the double 16, incredibly, to stop that MVG charge.
Humphries 12-12 Van Gerwen
And we are level.
MVG tested on throw, needs a 110 finish.
Of course he gets that checkout.
Humphries was on 70, but he wasn't getting a sniff.
Humphries 12-11 Van Gerwen
MVG is finding his groove now, throwing another 180.
MVG then needs a 106 checkout.
Guess what? He gets 106 with a double top.
He has broken Humphries' throw.
Humphries 12-10 Van Gerwen
Very good response from MVG.
A 180, followed by a 140 gives him lift off.
He's on 28 with Humphries well out on 250.
Double 7 goes in easy for the Dutch star to get up to 10 legs.
Humphries 12-9 Van Gerwen
An 11-darter straight after the break shows Humphries means business.
Astonishing stuff from Cool Hand Luke.
Three, again, is the gap.
Humphries 11-9 Van Gerwen
Stand up if you love the darts, Winter Gardens sings.
And how can you not when these two lads are powering along.
Humphries can't find the Big Fish with the will of the world wanting him to do so.
But it's MVG who cuts the gap again, finding the double 8 for a 70 checkout.
Humphries 11-8 Van Gerwen
The maximums keep on coming from Humphries.
MVG then misses the bullseye for a 135 finish.
Humphries closes 36 with a double 18 and is three ahead AGAIN.
Incidentally, averages for the pair now are 102 for Cool Hand Luke and 103 for MVG. Impressive stuff.