The PDC World Darts Championships control Luke Humphries is over. After an incredible 12 months as world champion, Cool Hand Luke’s bid to win back-to-back world titles came to an end on Sunday night in the last 16 at the hands of a resurgent Peter Wright4-1.
Wright, who came into the tournament after a poor year with people questioning his career as they often do, proved his doubters wrong with a truly sensational performance. The two-time world champion from Scotland averaged 101 and was particularly impressive in the outside ring, scoring 70% in doubles, which was truly back to his best year. Luke Littler was a potential semi-finalist for Humphries, but now Wright has certainly put the cat among the pigeons.
Follow the 2025 PDC World Darts Championships on our LIVE SCORE!
Despite some barbed comments exchanged between the pair before the match, Humphries carried himself with class after the match, comforting an emotional Wright in a warm post-match hug. Referring later to his official X (on Twitter), Humphries showed his class by sending heartfelt congratulations and praise to his rival.
“It just wasn’t supposed to be today. “It’s a credit to Peter Wright that he was clinical and fully deserved the win,” the world number one’s social media post begins, before Humphries turns his attention to the future, promising the season will return even stronger next year. “I’ve had the most amazing year as world champion. In 2025 I will come back stronger. Now it’s time for family.”
In an interview with PKP Humphries also praised Wright. “I probably put too much pressure on myself today, but I thought I played well. I kept hitting the first dart with a triple, but I couldn’t follow it. Peter played fantastic and stood by what he said before the match, so fair play to him,” Humphries said. “I wasn’t in the best shape, but it wasn’t terrible by any means and I’ll get back up. I will still sleep well tonight and look forward to next year.”
While the tournament may now be over for Humphries, Wright is through to the quarter-finals, keeping his hopes alive for a third PDC World Darts Championship title. Later on Monday evening Stephen Bunting and Luke Woodhouse go to Pally’s ally stage to find out who will be the Scot’s opponent in the last eight.
