Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle reflects on Luke Humphries becoming a two-time World Grand Prix champion after ‘Cool Hand’ rallied from 3-0 down against Gerwyn Price in the final to triumph 6-4 at the double-start event…
I may be wrong but, a few years ago, I don’t think Luke would have hung in a game like that to win it.
That was sheer belief: guts and determination knowing that you can do it – and he can do it against anyone from any position.
When you have won before, and Luke has done many, many times and in many, many ways, there is that belief of, ‘I’m under pressure but let’s just see as I know if I settle down my game can win’, rather than ‘oh no, I am going to get beat or get embarrassed 6-0’.
He played his game and he won. I am not saying it’s that simple but sometimes you have to simplify it.
When he won the fourth set he relaxed and Price tightened up.
Humphries’ 105 checkout to deny Price a 4-0 lead in the final proved crucial in Leicester
Humphries was in trouble, then a bit more and then a bit more – so to get out of it was an incredible effort.
The last two sets were his best.
He was under the cosh for more than an hour but didn’t succumb. He stood up to everything Gezzy threw at him, which was a lot.
Luke can now go into the World Championship thinking, ‘someone stop me’. To do it in set-play registers and sticks with you.
If Humphries and Price meet in a World final, something could crop up. This is all about one-upmanship.
Humphries explains why his World Gran Prix victory – his first major crown in over a year – means so much to him
On to Price, and he says things in the spur of the moment but the way he competes, he wants it. You can’t be as focused as he was in the final if you don’t care.
It is disheartening and disappointing when you are 3-0 up and don’t win but he has lost enough finals to know nothing is a given.
He is still a young man and will get many more opportunities. He knows he is good enough.
Gerwyn Price was left to rue ‘missed opportunities’ as he surrendered a big lead against Humphries and remained without a major win since 2022
But let’s get it right, the way Humphries played in the last two sets – a 106 average and a 107 average – is unplayable.
Gezzy can’t beat himself up too much.
What’s next?
The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (October 9-11) and the Dutch Darts Championship (October 16-18) before the European Championship takes place in Dortmund, Germany from October 22-25.
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) both live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
