Luke Humphries was hammered in the last-16 in Wigan. (Image: Getty)
Gary Anderson has blown away suggestions his best years might be behind him by hammering at the the Players Championship 24 event in Wigan. The 53-year-old took on the world No.1 at the last-16 stage, and rolled back the years with a sublime display.
Anderson averaged 114.41 as he romped home 6-2, finishing the demolition with an 11-dart leg.
At that point, it left his whole tournament average at 109, underlying why he continues to be known as the ‘Flying Scotsman’.
Anderson won the last of his two world titles in 2016, with his most recent PDC Tour major success coming at the Champions League of Darts two years later. But after his latest display, darts fans online were left claiming there is still no better player at the oche when the icon is at his best.
“I said it and people disagreed, performance wise he’s the best in the world just hasn’t converted onto a big stage,” said @OlmMusic_. “If he does, don’t see why he can’t win any major he wants the rest of this year.”
@Davidtu16699681 compared his play to an all-time great, arguing: “Pro tours are different from TV tournament, granted. But this is peak Phil Taylor level today from Anderson, just sweeping aside the world champ like he is the world number 59.”
Gary Anderson averaged over 114 against Humphries. (Image: PDC)
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@NadalistheGOAT_ added: “Best in the world,” while @TheMakhachevEra agreed, writing: “Still the best player in the world.” @AzumGoat posted “Best in form player right now,” and @PaunchGod said “Gary Anderson is unbeatable by anyone when in this form.”
Earlier in the day, the Scot hit a nine-darter in his second-round win over Jamie Hughes. He also outclassed Jules van Dongen and Dimitri Van den Bergh before taking on the reigning world champion.
Anderson took a two month break from the sport before returning to ProTour action last month in the Players Championship 22 event. And it was a dream return at the Mattioli Arena, landing five ton-plus averages to clinch his third PDC ranking title of 2024.
However, this time around Anderson was unable to convert his form into an overall tournament win. After beating Humphries, he overcame Dom Taylor 6-5 , holding his nerve in a final leg decider.
His run was ended by Dutchman Wessel Nijman though, who produced his own superb display to secure an upset 7-5 win. Nijman, 24, proceeded to win his first senior PDC title by beating Stephen Bunting 8-5 in a high quality final.