Luke Humphries secured his inaugural Players Championship title of 2024 on October 3 in Wigan, defeating Stephen Bunting in a thrilling final. Humphries staged a remarkable comeback from 7-6 down to clinch the match 8-7 at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, showcasing his readiness for the upcoming BoyleSports World Grand Prix.
The world number one emphasized the significance of this victory, stating, "This was important for me. You go through spells where you're playing fantastic darts, and then you go through spells where you can't buy a win." This triumph marked his third ranking title of the season and provided him with a much-needed confidence boost ahead of his title defense.
Humphries will face Bunting again in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, which begins on October 7 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. The tournament will feature 32 of the world's top players competing for a share of the £600,000 prize pool. Humphries expressed his excitement for the event, stating, "When you're on the big stage, it feels different. I feel better than ever on that big stage." He aims to join the ranks of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by retaining the title.
The Players Championship also saw impressive performances from other competitors, including Bunting, who reached his third final in three days, and Ritchie Edhouse, who recorded a remarkable average of 120.24. The PDC ProTour season continues with the next Players Championships scheduled for October 15-16, adding to the excitement of the darts calendar.