Luke Humphries produced one of the greatest fightbacks in World Grand Prix history to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in a sensational final at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on Sunday night. The world number two looked destined for another painful night in a major final after Price launched an extraordinary opening assault to race into a 3-0 lead.
But Humphries refused to buckle. The 31-year-old produced a remarkable turnaround to win nine of the next 13 legs before completing a stunning 6-4 victory and lifting the £150,000 top prize for the second time in his career. It was a fitting return to glory for Humphries, who defeated Price in the 2023 World Grand Prix final to claim his maiden televised ranking title. Three years later, he repeated the feat against the same opponent – this time after producing a comeback for the ages.
“I needed this to give me a bit of confidence,” insisted Humphries, who had already created history by becoming the first player to reach four consecutive World Grand Prix finals. “It’s been a torrid 15 or 18 months for myself losing so many major finals. I felt like I had not much to give tonight. I just didn’t want to lose 6-0 and I wanted to give the fans something to be happy with, and all of a sudden I find myself 4-3 up. Gezzy was amazing for those first three legs, absolutely insane. He is going to win a major title soon. It’s written in the stars for him, he can’t keep playing this well and not win.”
Humphries’ second World Grand Prix triumph also ended a run of four consecutive defeats in televised ranking finals, dating back to February’s Winmau World Masters. The former World Champion had already overcome Dave Chisnall, Jermaine Wattimena, Niels Zonneveld and James Wade on his route to the final, before producing the performance of his tournament when it mattered most. “I’m just happy to get one back,” continued Humphries, who joins Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade as a multiple World Grand Prix champion. “To have that run of losses in major finals off my back, it feels really special – this really means the world to me. I worked incredibly hard from 3-0 down there, showed a lot of grit and determination. These wins are more sweet than the ones you win with ease. I’m looking forward to taking the trophy home to my son, who can finally see his dad have another trophy and it not be a runners-up one!”
Price was left to settle for another runners-up finish despite producing a magnificent tournament and reaching a third consecutive Premier televised final. The 2020 World Grand Prix champion defeated Sebastian Bialecki, Ross Smith, Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall to reach Sunday’s showpiece, making it his fourth appearance in a double-start final. But once again, the Welshman was left agonisingly short of adding another major title to his collection. “It’s gutting I lost another one – I’m not bothered, but I am bothered,” quipped Price, who has also finished runner-up at the World Matchplay and World Series of Darts Finals this year. “Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the game, but I still squandered so many opportunities to put him under a bit of pressure. I missed too many opportunities. I felt like it was a fantastic game, I thought I played brilliantly, and Luke played brilliantly.”
Price appeared unstoppable in the opening stages as he reeled off three consecutive legs in 12, 10 and 12 darts. His extraordinary opening barrage produced a 132.62 set average – the highest set average ever recorded in World Grand Prix history – as the Welshman immediately laid down a marker. Price then extended his advantage with clinical 101 and 82 checkouts before a brilliant two-dart 91 finish moved him into a commanding 3-0 lead. Humphries, however, finally found a response. With Price poised on tops to move four sets clear, the defending champion produced a nerveless 105 combination to open his account and keep himself alive. The comeback was now underway.
Humphries followed that with clutch finishes of 100 and 90 before taking control of the contest, winning nine of the next 13 legs to transform a seemingly impossible deficit into a 4-3 advantage. Price refused to surrender and punished missed opportunities from Humphries in the opening stages of the eighth set to restore parity at 4-4. But the momentum continued to swing towards Humphries. Price fired in a brilliant 92 finish to move 2-1 ahead in the ninth set, but after missing two darts to move within a leg of a 5-4 lead, Humphries delivered a devastating response. A spectacular ten-dart break, backed by a 107 set average, put Humphries within touching distance of glory. The final set then belonged entirely to the world number two. Humphries produced an outstanding 11-darter to complete the clean sweep and seal one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Grand Prix history. From 3-0 down and staring down the barrel of another major final defeat, Humphries somehow found another gear. And this time, the trophy was finally his.
