Luke Humphries ended a 16-month wait for a PDC major trophy with a stunning 6-4 victory over Gerwyn Price in the World Grand Prix final. The win comes after a difficult stretch for the world number two, who has found his dominance challenged by Luke Littler.
Humphries, 31, was at the top of the sport two years ago but has struggled since. He had failed to taste major success since winning the Premier League in May 2025. A ranking title had also eluded him since claiming the Masters in February last year.
In Leicester, the second seed demonstrated both his skill and his resolve, capturing the crown at the distinctive ‘double-in, double-out’ tournament. He has now claimed two World Grand Prix titles, with his first coming during the 2023 campaign that marked the start of his climb to the top of the rankings.
A Record-Breaking Final
Price took an early 3-0 lead over Humphries, who had already reached a record-breaking fourth successive World Grand Prix final. But Humphries responded by winning four consecutive sets to seize the initiative. The match tightened when Price levelled, before Humphries broke in the deciding leg of set five and closed it out with three straight legs to become champion.
The victory ensures he retains his number two ranking from the Netherlands’ Gian van Veen. “It’s kind of like I needed this to give me a bit of confidence,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “It’s been a torrid 15 or 18 months, losing so many major finals. I felt like I had not much to give tonight.”
Price’s Four-Year Wait
Price’s run at the top level comes to an end, and he remains without a major PDC title after four years of trying. The defeat extends his losing streak in major finals to five in a row, with three of those coming this year alone. This is his fourth appearance in a Grand Prix final.
The first set saw Price produce a stunning 132 three-dart average. He raced into a 3-0 lead and Humphries admitted afterwards that avoiding a 6-0 clean sweep was on his mind such was the brutality that Price was producing.
The Fourth Set Swing
Humphries seized the fourth set from Price, who was waiting on tops to move within two sets of victory. He did so by taking out a brilliant 105, and what he said “felt like the biggest shot of my career”.
His levels began to climb from that point, and he laid claim to leading the next three sets.
Set eight saw Price rally with three straight legs, which pushed the match into a best-of-three decider. Humphries then raised his level during a brief pause between sets. The ninth set also reached a deciding leg, yet it differed from the earlier four sets in the match that went to a last leg: there was no break of throw.
Price was left dejected after Humphries finished in 10 darts, which allowed him to win three unanswered legs and secure his ninth major PDC title.
The Road Back
Humphries was at the top of the sport two years ago. Since then, Littler has taken over as the dominant force.
Since the Masters in February last year, Humphries had not claimed a ranking title. His wait for a major trophy stretched back even further, to the Premier League in May 2025. That barren spell was a heavy burden on him, and he acknowledged it after the win.
“I worked incredibly hard, showed a lot of grit and determination,” Humphries said. “I think these are a lot sweeter than the ones you win with ease.”
The Match in Detail
- Price took the first set with a stunning 132 three-dart average.
- He raced into a 3-0 lead.
- Humphries won four sets on the spin to take control.
- Price levelled but Humphries broke in the deciding leg of set five.
- Humphries then won three straight legs to lead.
- Price rallied in set eight and won three successive legs to force a best-of-three finale.
- After a short break, Humphries found another gear.
- Set nine went to a deciding leg, with Humphries finishing in 10 darts.
- Humphries won three unanswered legs to claim the title.
The Significance of the Win
Getting back to the top has not been simple for Humphries, and he admits that matching this performance will prove challenging.
“To go on and win like I did is going to be tough,” he said. “I don’t think I can’t do it, I’m just trying to pick up as many titles as I can.”
He has secured a win that carries forward into upcoming competitions, giving him a strong position as he moves through them. Whether that performance endures is something we will need to see.
What the Win Means
Humphries secured his second World Grand Prix crown, a triumph that builds on the 2023 achievement that launched his rise to the top of the sport. By winning, he keeps hold of his number two position ahead of Gian van Veen of the Netherlands.
Humphries spoke about the significance of the moment. “The sport is in such a special place that when you pick these trophies up they mean a lot more,” he said.
“When I was winning, I don’t think there were so many good players. I’m happy to win a couple a year – one a year is great.”
“To go on and win like I did is going to be tough. I don’t think I can’t do it, I’m just trying to pick up as many titles as I can.”
A Tough Road Ahead
The road ahead is not going to be simple for Humphries, who has already admitted that matching this level of performance will prove challenging.
“To go on and win like I did is going to be tough,” he said. “I don’t think I can’t do it, I’m just trying to pick up as many titles as I can.”
The win has given him a push going into upcoming competitions, though it is unknown whether he can keep up that level of play.
Humphries has finally broken his long run without a major trophy, ending a 16-month wait. He has also added to his growing collection of major PDC titles, bringing his career total to nine.
Source material: “Humphries wins Grand Prix to end barren spell,” the BBC.
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