Luke Humphries believes he is ready to take the next step in his career by winning a TV event as he heads to New York for the bet365 US Darts Masters.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a fine 2022 on the European Tour as he won the Czech Open, European Grand Prix, European Matchplay and the German Grand Prix.
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He also won two Players Championships events, but he is yet to taste victory on a TV stage - despite coming close when losing to James Wade in the final of the 2021 UK Open and getting to the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals.
Speaking exclusively to bet365 ahead of the event, Humphries is primed and ready to seize his moment in the bet365 US Darts Masters.
“I’m looking for that next big win, I’ve won quite a few tournaments on the European tour and I’ve took every small step there is in my career,” said Humphries.
“When I started at youth level I won that, then I started winning on the Pro Tour and the European Tour, now its time to get that TV stage win.
“I know its coming, I know I’ve got the ability, I wouldn’t have been picked for this if the PDC didn’t believe I could win.
“This is the next step, get that TV win and I feel I could win a lot more. I’m not saying I could win every tournament but I know I’ve got the ability to go on and win a lot more.
“This would be a great stepping-stone if I could win in New York.”
This year’s event sees a return to Madison Square Garden, one of the most iconic venues in the world of sport, after a successful 2022 event.
For Humphries, it’s not only his first time playing at the venue, but it’s also his first time playing in America, something he says that he is relishing.
“New York was always a place I wanted to go, all these events you get invited to, it’s a privilege to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to being there and being part of it.
“It’s a mad situation for me, just coming from a town in Newbury to going to play at Madison Square Garden is an unbelievable thing that I never thought I would do.
“It’s one of those things I can tick off the bucket list and it would be a good feeling if I could go there and win. It did well for Michael Smith last year, so I’m hoping I can go there and win.”
The tournament represents another opportunity for the sport to grow further afield, with the popularity rising in countries such as USA all the time.
‘Cool Hand Luke’ believes that more can be achieved in America and that the potential is there to unearth some more quality players.
“The game is growing quite a lot all around the world. We’ve been to Bahrain this year, Copenhagen, we’re at New York, Poland and Australia – the game is evolving throughout every country.
“America is one market that needs that little extra push that could unearth some great players. It’s a massive country and there’s got to be some really good players out there in America who could come over here and really create a wave and get themselves in the top 32.
“I think there’s a massive market in America for us as darts players and darts fans, it would be nice if we could break the mould, go over to America and get that following that will break through more for darts.”
