Luke Humphries defended his US Darts Masters crown with a dramatic final-leg triumph over Luke Littler at Madison Square Garden, etching his name into darts history as the first player to claim consecutive titles in New York.
The record-breaking 5,000-strong crowd witnessed a pulsating final featuring Humphries’ composed 11-darter in the decider, sealing his third World Series of Darts victory and cementing his rivalry with Littler as one of modern darts’ most compelling narratives. Humphries averaged 104 throughout the match, overcoming a daunting 5-5 deadlock to complete his historic double crown defense.
“This venue grows in prestige every year, and the energy here is unmatched,” Humphries remarked, reflecting on the tournament’s quality. “Beating Luke here in back-to-back years is special. He’s the toughest opponent in the sport, and every encounter is a battle.”
The former World Champion reinforced his form with decisive 7-6 and 7-3 semi-final victories over Gian van Veen and James Wade respectively, completing his tournament journey with clinical precision. His pathway to glory included overcoming Stephen Bunting and securing a commanding 6-3 win against Van Veen, showcasing his resilience under pressure.
Littler, the World Champion and US Darts Masters final debutant, acknowledged his monumental challenge against Humphries: “It’s incredible to be here tonight among so many English supporters. Competing against Luke is always immense – he’s in a league of his own.”
Littler’s campaign began with emphatic victories over 2024 runner-up Gerwyn Price (103.93 score) and six-time title winner James Wade, though ultimately fell short after a valiant but failed bid to overturn a 7-4 semi-final deficit.
This emphatic title retention enhances Humphries’ World Series pedigree, while setting the stage for further clashes with Littler at the August double-header in New Zealand and Australia. The World Series Final in September will serve as the next high-stakes battleground in this evolving partnership.
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