The US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden delivered another classic as Luke Humphries defeated Luke Littler 8-7 in a last-leg decider to defend his title. But beyond the final, the tournament has sparked debate over Gerwyn Price's lacklustre performances, Gian van Veen's return to form, and whether North America deserves a second World Series event.
Luke Humphries' victory marked his fourth win in the last five meetings against Littler, with Littler's only win in that stretch coming in the Premier League Darts Final. 'Cool Hand Luke' sealed the title with an 11-darter and an average just over 104, leaving Littler frustrated after three appearances in New York without a title. For Littler, this may have been his final competitive outing before the World Matchplay (July 18-26), as he continues to skip Players Championship floor events and will also miss the European Darts Open (July 10-12). His preparation will largely consist of practice sessions.
Gerwyn Price's quarter-final exit—a 6-3 loss to James Wade—has raised concerns. Despite winning two titles this year, Price has not claimed a major since 2022 (excluding the World Cup of Darts). Editors noted his lacklustre stats and suggested he needs to sort out issues away from the oche to return with a fresh mindset. Meanwhile, Gian van Veen showed encouraging signs, defeating Jonny Clayton 6-3 with a 106 average before squandering a 6-3 lead in the semi-finals to lose 7-6 to Humphries. Van Veen has been struggling with consistency after being sidelined by kidney stones in March, but his performance in New York suggests he is gradually rediscovering his best form.
A key talking point is the possibility of a US/Canada double header on the World Series. Editors argued that with double headers already in the Middle East and Oceania, adding a second North American event would capitalise on the sport's growth in the region. While the packed schedule may make it unpopular, the success of the US Darts Masters could pave the way for such an expansion in the future.