Luke Humphries has started off 2025 in his usual fashion, becoming the inaugural winner of the PDC version of the Winmau World Masters.
The world number one overcame Jonny Clayton in the final to win his seventh major title in just 15 months.
Speaking to ITV Sport after lifting the trophy, Humphries said: “To win trophies like these is amazing and to share a stage with Jonny is a privilege. I am over the moon.” He also complimented his opponent, saying: “Jonny was scoring so well. It was a really tough game. I played well in patches but Jonny was dominant at times.”
The final was a thrilling encounter to conclude what was a successful weekend of darts in the new and expanded World Masters, which was the first edition of the PDC tournament branded as such. The chnage came after a sponsorship deal was struck with Winmau, who sponsored the old BDO version of the tournament. The tournament also carried more weight this year as for the first time it became a ranking event, and could be an important tool to help players climb further up the Order of Merit.
When the action got underway, Clayton started slightly the better, forging a 2-1 lead going into the first break. Humphries rallied back however, recording four sets in a row to lead 5-2, and put himself in a commanding position knowing he only needed one more set to become the champion. Darts fans have seen the ease with which Humphries can demolish opponents when he is on form, and so many thought that it was going to be another procession for the 29-year-old.
Jonny Clayton was determined to not let that happen however, and a spectacular run saw him claw back the three set deficit and bring the score back to 5-5. This meant that the pair would go to a last set shootout to decide the champion.
Humphries had won the bull in the back room, and therefore had the advantage of throw in the final set. This advantage looked to have been squandered however when Clayton continued his impressive run in the match to break throw and take the opening leg of the set. All the Welshman had to do was hold his throw to win.
Cool Hand remained calm under the pressure as he so often does however, and managed to immediately win the break back, setting up what had been a thrilling final for one last showdown in a last leg shootout. This time, the Englishman made the advantage of throw count. When Clayton missed a potential match winning 120 out, Humphries was placed nicely on tops, taking it out in two to seal the victory and crown himself the first ever PDC World Master.
The title is his seventh major title in just 15 months, a truly remarkable achievement that few have ever been able to match in the past. Winning the tournament gives Humphries a further £100,000 to add to his ranking money, which is coincidentally about how far away he is from becoming the first ever player to have £2million on the Order of Merit. The world number one will be looking to continue his winning form into the Premier League, which begins this Thursday in Belfast.