Mardle: Humphries’ World Grand Prix Comeback Shows He Can Compete From Any Position

Darts pundit Wayne Mardle reflected on Luke Humphries becoming a two-time World Grand Prix champion after “Cool Hand” rallied from 3-0 down to beat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the final of the double-start event.

Mardle said the comeback highlighted a growing confidence in Humphries’ ability to stay in tough situations and still find a way to win.

A few years ago, Mardle suggested Humphries might not have remained in a match of that kind and then secured victory. The performance, he added, was built on belief, determination and the knowledge that he can compete against any opponent from any position.

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Experience has clearly shaped Humphries’ mindset. Having won many times and in many different ways, he now appears able to accept pressure while trusting that, once he settles, his game can produce a result. Rather than worrying about collapse or embarrassment, Mardle said Humphries seemed focused on simplifying the task and playing his own darts.

Humphries did exactly that. Mardle acknowledged it is not always that simple, but at times the most effective approach is to keep things uncomplicated.

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Once Humphries won the fourth set, he relaxed while Price began to tighten up. Mardle described the turnaround as an incredible effort.

Humphries found himself in trouble, then deeper trouble, and then even more trouble, yet he fought his way out of all of it. The final two sets were his strongest of the match.

He was under sustained pressure for more than an hour but did not buckle. He coped with everything Price threw at him, and there was a lot of it.

Mardle suggested the result could give Humphries added confidence ahead of the World Championship, with the attitude that nobody is beyond challenge. The ability to recover in set play is something that can remain with him for the future.

If Humphries and Price meet in a World final, the result could come down to small edges. The rivalry is ultimately about one-upmanship, with each player seeking the next advantage.

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Mardle also praised Price’s competitive intensity. He is willing to say things in the heat of the moment, and his approach shows how much he wants it. Without that level of commitment, he would not have competed as focused as he did in the final.

Going from 3-0 to defeat is disheartening and disappointing, but Price has lost enough finals to know that nothing is automatic. He is still young, has many more chances ahead of him, and clearly believes he is good enough to win.

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That said, Mardle believed Humphries made the closing stage very difficult to answer. Averages of 106 and 107 in the final two sets were, in his view, unplayable. Price, therefore, should not lose too much sleep over the result.

What comes next?

The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy from October 9 to 11 and the Dutch Darts Championship from October 16 to 18, before the European Championship takes place in Dortmund, Germany from October 22 to 25.

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