Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle has reflected on Luke Humphries securing his status as a two-time World Grand Prix champion, praising the world-class composure that saw ‘Cool Hand’ rally from 3-0 down against Gerwyn Price in the final to triumph 6-4 at the unique double-start event.
Reflecting on the dramatic encounter in Leicester, Mardle admitted that a few years ago, he does not believe Humphries would have been able to hang in a match of that magnitude and turn it around from such a deficit. According to the pundit, the victory was built on sheer belief, combining deep-seated guts and an unwavering determination. It demonstrated that Humphries now possesses the undeniable psychological edge of knowing he can win from any position against anyone in the sport.
When a player has won major titles before—and Humphries has done so numerous times and across various formats—a distinct mindset takes over. Instead of panicking under pressure or fearing a heavy defeat, the reigning mentality shifts to an internal reassurance. Players with that championship pedigree recognize that while they may be struggling early on, they simply need to settle down and let their natural game take over. As Mardle observed, Humphries ultimately trusted his process, played his game, and got the job done. While elite sport is rarely that straightforward, the victory underlined the power of simplifying the task when the pressure reaches its peak.
The pivotal turning point of the final arrived during the fourth set. Once Humphries managed to secure that crucial set, a visible sense of relief washed over his game, whereas Price began to tighten up and feel the mounting weight of the occasion. Prior to that breakthrough, Humphries had found himself in deep trouble, then a bit more trouble, and then a bit more still. To fight his way out of that formidable hole against an opponent of Price’s caliber required an extraordinary effort.
As the match wore on, Humphries elevated his standard significantly, with the final two sets proving to be his absolute best of the evening. He spent more than an hour under intense pressure, absorbing everything that ‘Gezzy’ threw at him—and Price threw a considerable amount of high-level darts his way. Rather than succumbing to the onslaught, Humphries stood firm.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the darting calendar, Mardle believes that Humphries can now enter the upcoming World Championship with an aura of invincibility, thinking simply that someone needs to step up and stop him. Delivering such a performance in a grueling set-play format leaves a lasting psychological imprint that resonates throughout the locker room. Furthermore, if Humphries and Price find themselves locking horns once again in a future World Championship final, the lingering memories of this epic clash are bound to resurface, as elite sport at this level is constantly about psychological one-upmanship and establishing dominance.
Turning his attention to the runner-up, Mardle noted that while Gerwyn Price often speaks in the spur of the moment, his intense competitive drive proves just how deeply he cares about winning. It is impossible to maintain the level of ferocious focus that Price displayed during the final without being entirely invested in the outcome. Naturally, surrendering a 3-0 lead and failing to cross the finish line is a disheartening and deeply disappointing experience for any competitor. However, Price has contested and lost enough major finals throughout his career to understand that nothing in professional darts is ever a given. At still a relatively young age, the Welshman will undoubtedly secure many more opportunities on the big stage, fully aware that his exceptional ability places him right among the elite.
Ultimately, the statistical reality of the conclusion cannot be ignored. The way Humphries played through the final two sets, registering averages of 106 and 107 respectively, rendered him virtually unplayable. Consequently, Price has every reason to be proud of his overall tournament and should not beat himself up too severely over the heartbreaking turnaround.
What’s next?
The professional darting calendar rolls onward as the European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy from October 9-11 and the Dutch Darts Championship from October 16-18. Following these events, attention will turn to the premier tier of European competition with the European Championship, which takes place in Dortmund, Germany, from October 22-25.
Sky Sports remains the ultimate television home for elite darts fans, with comprehensive live coverage of the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts from November 14-22 and the marquee World Darts Championship running from December 10 to January 3. Viewers can stream all the live action and much more through NOW with flexible, contract-free viewing options.