Winmau World Darts Masters: Luke Littler pips Luke Humphries in final-set thriller to claim TV title in Milton Keynes

[ad_1] Luke Littler ticked off one other darting milestone by claiming a maiden Winmau World Masters with a dramatic 6-5 victory over defending champion Luke Humphries in Milton Keynes.

Littler thrashed Josh Rock in straight units within the quarter-finals and survived a match dart from Gerwyn Worth in a final-leg thriller to achieve the ultimate for the primary time at Area MK, the place he was launched into one other topsy-turvy contest in opposition to Humphries.

The back-to-back world champion moved 3-1 and 4-3 up in opposition to Humphries, who had dispatched Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen earlier within the day with out dropping a set, solely to see 'Cool Hand' battle again and declare the following two units to steer.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/384x216/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/1600x900/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Luke littler [Taylor Lanning/PDC]" data-testid="article-image-image"/> Picture: Littler edged final-set thrillers to beat Worth and Humphries on Sunday night Littler responded by racing by the ultimate two units in straight legs to shut out one other spectacular victory, leaving the 19-year-old only a European Championship title away from profitable each PDC ranked title in his historic profession.

The world No 1 fired a 104.72 common and 13 maximums throughout an absorbing closing, with Littler's win following TV closing victories over Humphries on the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts final season and seeing him declare the £100,000 first prize.

WInmau World Masters: Sunday outcomes

Quarter finals (better of seven units): Chris Dobey 2-4 Gerwyn Worth, Luke Littler 4-0 Josh Rock, Gian van Veen 4-2 James Wade, Luke Humphries 4-0 Danny Noppert

Semi finals (better of 9 units): Luke Littler 5-4 Gerwyn Worth, Luke Humphries 5-0 Gian van Veen

Closing (better of 11 units): Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries

How Littler edged Humphries thriller Humphries squandered an opportunity to take the opening set in straight legs earlier than claiming it with a 66 end within the decider, then noticed Littler hearth again with a surprising 153 checkout on his method to levelling the competition.

Littler adopted an 11-dart break with a double-double end to take out 78 and transfer forward, with back-to-back 121 checkouts - one closed on tops and one on the bullseye - lifting him right into a two-set benefit.

The Nuke broke once more early within the fifth however a missed a set dart on D14 for one more 121 and 4-1 lead, permitting Humphries to carry and spark a run of 5 consecutive legs to change momentum again in his favour.

Littler responded together with his personal three-leg burst however missed set darts to revive a two-set buffer, with Humphries threatening a profitable title defence when he fired an 81 checkout to win the eighth set and held throw within the ninth to go a leg from victory.

<img class="sdc-article-image__item" loading="lazy" intrinsicsize="768x432" src="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508" srcset="https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/384x216/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508 380w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/768x432/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508 760w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/1600x900/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508 1024w, https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508 2048w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw" alt="Luke Humphries [Taylor Lanning/PDC]" data-testid="article-image-image"/> Picture: Luke Humphries was trying to turn into the primary back-to-back World Masters champion since Michael van Gerwen It took simply 25 darts for Littler to race by the tenth set and pressure a decider, the place he capitalised on Humphries failing take out D4 to win the following two legs and declare an eleventh PDC main title.

"Going into the final break at 5-4 down I mentioned to myself I've bought nothing left, however I managed to dig deep," Littler instructed ITV. "I used to be totally centered and bought the job completed. It is undoubtedly been bizarre and difficult at instances, however for this reason we battle in each recreation and each leg. I've come out victorious.

"Me and Luke within the first main of the yr and I am certain it is going to proceed all year long."

Extra to observe...

What's subsequent? Premier League Darts is again for a brand new season on Thursday, reside on Sky Sports activities, with Newcastle internet hosting the opening evening of 17-week schedule in venues throughout the UK, Eire and Europe.

The opening evening sees Littler tackle Van Veen - in a repeat of the World Darts Championship closing, with Jonny Clayton or Rock awaiting the winner, whereas Humphries performs fellow former world champion Worth and Michael Van Gerwen goes up in opposition to Stephen Bunting.

Sky Sports activities stays the house of the Premier League in 2026, with each evening solely reside together with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra. Stream darts and extra high sport with no contract.