11/5 Premier League favourite Luke Humphries cruises to German Grand Prix success

Luke Humphries claimed his sixth PDC European Tour title in spectacular style with glory over Michael van Gerwen in Monday's German Darts Grand Prix final in Munich.

The reigning World Champion had picked up his maiden European Tour success in the German Darts Grand Prix two years ago, and recaptured the title to the delight of a sell-out crowd at Zenith.

'Cool Hand', who is 7/2 to win the 2025 World Darts Championship, had been outstanding in his second round win over Luke Woodhouse on Sunday, and swept to glory on Easter Monday with four brilliant displays.

The 29-year-old - a winner of three Premier League nights during March and 11/5 to go the distance in Manchester this Thursday - stated his intentions by opening Finals Day with a 111.63 average in his 6-2 third round win over Ryan Joyce.

He repeated that scoreline in the quarter-finals against Danny Noppert - where he averaged 107 to Noppert's 106 - and then saw off Premier League rival Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals, as his average dipped to 99.93.

Humphries was, though, almost unplayable in the final as he denied MVG a fourth German Darts Grand Prix title in an 8-1 romp against the world number two, averaging 112.66 and taking out a second 170 finish of the event as he hit eight doubles from 13 attempts.

"I was just unbeatable there to be honest and I'm really, really proud of the way I've played this weekend," said Humphries, who is 7/4 to capture the coveted Premier League title this year. "That's the level you have to be to win nowadays.

"I felt a little bit tired against Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) but I kept going and that final against Michael felt effortless, it felt good. To put in performances like that in finals is obviously really pleasing but for me pick up another European Tour title two years on since my first is really special.

"The crowd have been absolutely amazing for me, it's something that I'm not used to but I really appreciate it - it meant a lot."

Van Gerwen, 7/2 to land a record-extending eighth Premier League crown in 2024, took the final's opening leg with a 14-darter, but that would be as good as it got for the Dutchman as Humphries levelled in the same manner before punishing a miss at double eight.

'Cool Hand' then took out 112 to move 3-1 up, fired in checkouts of 81 and 96 for 11-darters to put daylight between the pair and then landed another 14-darter for a 6-1 cushion.

A sensational 170 checkout - matching his high finish against Woodhouse on Sunday - moved the world number one to the brink of victory, and three missed doubles from Van Gerwen in the next allowed him in to seal the title.

"I think the two best players in the world were fighting it out, and I know 8-1 is a bit of a flattering score but me and Michael will have many finals in the future," added Humphries.

"The way I've played this weekend is the levels you have to be to win - that's how crazy the game's got and that's how good you have to be to beat the likes of Michael.

"He's been here for ten years consistently one of the best players in the world and I look up to him a lot, so to beat him in another final is fantastic.

"I just love playing him to be honest, he shows a lot of respect and it was a great final. That's elite sport - sometimes it's your day and today was my day."

Attentions now turn towards Manchester for the resumption of the Premier League this week, where Humphries is a strong 2/5 favourite to overcome Michael Smith in his quarter-final, and MVG an 11/10 underdog against Week Nine winner Luke Littler.

Mark Mothershaw

• Luke Humphries
• Premier League Darts
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