Luke Humphies was full of praise for Luke Littler after the Players Championship Finals (Image: PDC Darts )
told he can be ‘one of the greatest ever’ darts players just moments after beating him to the Players Championship Finals title.
In a repeat of the 2024 Darts World Championship and final, the two Lukes met in Minehead for the last big event before next month’s Alexandra Palace return.
But unlike his opponent, Humphries had somewhat dragged himself to the final, having struggled to settle into his usually devastating rhythm all weekend.
There was none of that in the final itself though, with against the teenage challenger.
In the end, the 11-7 margin of victory probably didn’t flatter Humphries enough, as Littler rallied late to claw back some credibility after what looked like it could end up being a hefty defeat.
Unsurprisingly, Cool Hand Luke was full of plaudits for the Nuke after the contest, saying: “What’s he’s doing is fantastic, but I just said to him ‘don’t be disappointed because you’ll win loads’.
“This is for people like me and the rest of the field, he’s going to win so much. So I just said ‘don’t be too disheartened Luke’.”
He added: “It’s obviously going to be disappointing for him, but he’ll win loads of tournaments like he showed at the Grand Slam.
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FOR THE SECOND TIME ????????????Luke Humphries retains his 2024 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals title, beating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final.
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC)
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“He showed so much class, he’s probably going to go on and be one of the greatest there’s ever been.”
It is high praise, but Humphries’ admiration that doesn’t appear misplaced, given the sensational year Littler has had in his debut professional season.
Littler once again jumped up the world rankings this week, going from fifth to fourth, after breaking into the top five last weekend courtesy of his big-money Grand Slam victory.
Attention now switches towards the Worlds, where Humphries and Littler enter the tournament as the two favourites for the title.
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But frustratingly for darts lovers, there’ll be no repeat of the final at the World Championship, given the duo have been placed on the same side of the draw.
The two are set to meet in the semi-finals, should they both progress that far, with Humphries revealing he’s feeling good ahead of the big one.
Humphries, explaining what his build-up will look like, stated: “We’re full of exhibitions for seven or eight out of 10 days. But I think it will do me good to get my eye in and play all these great players.
“Just to get myself fine-tuned for the Worlds and then I’ve got six days off, before the 15th of December we’re going to be there at the Worlds and hopefully it’s going to be good.”
The draw for the World Championship takes place later on Monday.