The World Series of Darts returns to New York City for the bet365 US Darts Masters and Luke Humphries will be out to defend his title.
The Infosys Theater at the iconic Madison Square Garden is set to play host to two days of elite darts action, with Humphries, Luke Littler and Gian van Veen amongst the names set to take to the oche in The Big Apple.
Cool Hand defeated Stowe Buntz, Danny Lauby and Gerwyn Price to set up a 15-leg final contest with Nathan Aspinall at the bet365 US Darts Masters in 2025, where he won 8-6 to clinch a maiden honour.
Humphries is the only participant in New York to have won the World Series event before, and victory on Friday would see him become just the second two-time winner of the US Darts Masters -- after Michael van Gerwen.
"Honestly, it's by far the biggest -- in my opinion -- World Series event of the calendar year," Humphries exclusively told bet365 when questioned on the bet365 US Darts Masters.
"You're playing in such an iconic venue in arguably one of the most famous cities in the world. It doesn't get much bigger than that.
"I didn't play in the first year (in New York) but I've done the second, third and fourth and I mean, it's a buzz.
"You're playing at Madison Square Garden in such a great city; it's amazing and feels surreal that you're there to play darts.
He added: "This is one you'll never see me pull out of unless there was something that really did get in the way.
"I always look forward to it and it's always a great event. bet365 always put on a good event for the US Darts Masters and the media is always really good.
"It's always the best one. I was really pleased to have won it last year."
Cool Hand heads into the bet365 US Darts Masters in fine form, having joined forces with Littler to guide England to a record-extending sixth World Cup of Darts title earlier this month.
Humphries' more recent form against The Nuke is proof that the world number two is nearing his best -- winning three of their last four matchups -- but even so the 31-year-old will no doubt be glad that he can't face Littler until the final in New York.
Humphries is priced at 9/2 to lift the bet365 US Darts Masters for a second consecutive year, trailing only Littler in the betting -- who is available at 13/10.
