Luke Humphries silenced the critics as he defeated Jonny Clayton 8-6 to assert his first stage title since September as Luke Littler’s 12-match profitable streak on the Belgian Darts Open led to a shock defeat to Niels Zonneveld.
Humphries produced a string of spectacular performances on Sunday to beat Jermaine Wattimena, Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen after which see of Premier League chief Clayton within the remaining to assert the Belgian Darts Open for the primary time in his profession and a ninth European Tour title general.
World No 2 Humphries demolished Wattimena 6-1 to achieve the quarter-finals the place he scraped by in opposition to Dobey 6-5 regardless of lacking 24 darts at double. However he produced the efficiency of the evening in crushing Van Gerwen 7-2 with a 105.96 common and a 129 checkout to seal the win.
Clayton pegged Humphries again early on within the contest profitable the opening leg, nevertheless it was Humphries who took management as he gained six straight legs to take a commanding 6-1 lead over the Welshman, pinning checkouts of 142 and 130 within the second and seventh leg respectively.
‘The Ferret’ produced a wonderful fightback of his personal, profitable 4 out of the following 5 legs, an exceptional 126 checkout on the bull within the leg after Humphries missed the bull himself on a 132 mixture end to go one away from victory.
Humphries denied Clayton a last-leg decider although as ‘Cool Hand’ pinned a 13-dart-leg to clinch the title, regardless of late heroics from the Welshman.
“It’s one of them things where I feel my game’s been there, then it’s not, then it is. My scoring is good but my doubles are not and I put myself under pressure,” admitted Humphries after accumulating the trophy.
“Usually in those circumstances I close the game out a lot better but when you’re not winning as much they become harder and you feel the nerves.
“I did ultimately there as a result of Jonny is without doubt one of the most underrated darts gamers on the earth. He is at all times there and you’ll’t shake him off. He is obtained the proper nickname (The Ferret) as a result of he is simply there and he will not depart. It is credit score to him for coming again.
“It’s nice to get that winning feeling again. A nice big trophy on the big stage.”
And the reigning Premier League champion added: “I’m going to keep trying, keep pushing, keep working hard. Keep my aura levels up because I have to keep trying to be the second best player in the world, apparently!”
Littler suffered a shock defeat in Wieze
Littler got here into this event as a back-to-back undefeated champion and appeared within the temper when he dismantled Boris Krcmar 6-2 in his opening match, averaging 104.70 in a outstanding show on Saturday.
However ‘The Nuke’ was unable to proceed his love affair with Belgium as Dutchman Zonneveld produced a magical 147 checkout to beat the world No 1 in a dramatic last-leg decider earlier within the day.
Littler makes early exit; MVG spoils Gurney’s birthday celebrations
Netherlands’ Zonneveld accomplished a superb comeback to dump out world No 1 Littler
The back-to-back world champion averaged greater than 103 and produced finishes of 122 and 136, however his reign was ended as ‘Triple Z’ full a surprising comeback from 3-1 all the way down to e book his place within the quarter-finals.
“It was more difficult than I thought before the match,” Zonneveld mentioned. “I always wondered why people think about it when they can beat him.
“I used to be in that place and it was actually onerous however ultimately I took out a superb end to beat him.
“It’s such a relief. I showed some really good nerve there. I’m so happy.”
Following a scintillating weekend of motion, the 2026 Winamax European Tour will resume with the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich from April 4-6.
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen might be eyeing a second successive triumph on the Zenith, Munich with Humphries setting his sights on back-to-back titles in Germany.
Sunday March 22
Afternoon Session
Spherical Three
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Luke Littler
Danny Noppert 6-5 Ryan Searle
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Ross Smith
Andy Baetens 6-5 Martin Schindler
Luke Humphries 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena
Chris Dobey 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Daryl Gurney
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Cristo Reyes
Night Session
Quarter-Finals
Niels Zonneveld 6-3 Danny Noppert
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Andy Baetens
Luke Humphries 6-5 Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Ryan Joyce
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 7-6 Niels Zonneveld
Luke Humphries 7-2 Michael van Gerwen
Closing
Luke Humphries 8-6 Jonny Clayton
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Highlights as Luke Littler produced an unbelievable comeback to defeat Gerwyn Worth on Evening Seven of the Premier League in Dublin
What’s occurring on Premier League Evening Eight in Berlin?
Evening Eight of the BetMGM Premier League will happen in Berlin on Thursday March 26, as Littler begins his bid for a 3rd nightly victory of 2026 in opposition to Bunting on the Mercedes-Benz Enviornment.
League chief Clayton will tackle Rock within the night’s opener, Humphries and Van Gerwen additionally go head-to-head, whereas Worth takes on Van Veen for a spot within the semi-finals.
Quarter-Closing fixtures for 14 of the 16 league nights are in draw bracket order, with fixtures for Evening Eight and Evening 16 decided by league standings heading into every evening.
Who will win this yr’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries might be defending his title and you’ll watch the motion each single Thursday till Might on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
