Luke Littler hit another significant milestone by claiming a first Winmau World Masters with a dramatic 6-5 win over defending champion Luke Humphries in Milton Keynes.
Littler defeated Josh Rock in straight sets in the quarter-finals and withstood a match dart from Gerwyn Price in a final-leg thriller to reach his first final at Arena MK, where he faced another unpredictable match against Humphries.
The back-to-back world champions went 3-1 and 4-3 up against Humphries, who dispatched Danny Knoppert and Gian van Veen earlier in the day without dropping a set, only to see the ‘cool hand’ battle back and claim the lead in the next two sets.
![Luke is small [Taylor Lanning/PDC]](https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-luke-littler-darts_7152715.jpg?20260201201438 "In a thrilling final set at the Winmau World Darts Masters, Luke Little defeated Luke Humphries to claim the TV title in Milton Keynes. 49")
Luke Littler overcame final-set thrillers to beat Price and Humphries on Sunday evening.
Littler responded by racing through the final two sets in straight legs for another impressive win, leaving the 19-year-old just one European Championship title away from winning every PDC-ranked title in his historic career.
The world number one averaged 104.72 and scored 13 highs during an absorbing final that saw Littler win and claim the £100,000 first prize following TV final victories over Humphries at last season’s World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
How Little Humphreys’ Thriller Edge
Humphries squandered an opportunity to take the opening set in straight legs and claimed it with a 66 finish in the decider, then saw Littler bounce back with a stunning 153 checkout en route to levelling the contest.
Littler followed an 11-dart break with a double-double finish to take out 78 and move ahead, with back-to-back 121 checkouts – one on top and one on the bullseye – lifting him to a two-set advantage.
Both Littler and Humphries will be chasing further success in the Premier League, starting on Thursday and live on Sky Sports
Nuke broke again at the start of the fifth but missed a setup dart at D14 for another 121 and a 4-1 lead, allowing Humphries to spark a five-leg run in a row to put the momentum back in his favour.
Littler responded with a three-leg burst of his own but missed a set dart to regain a two-set buffer. Humphries threatened a successful title defence when he checked out at 81 to win the eighth set and threw in the ninth to move one step closer to victory.
![Luke Humphries [Taylor Lanning/PDC]](https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-luke-humphries-darts_7152744.jpg?20260201213508 "In a thrilling final set at the Winmau World Darts Masters, Luke Little defeated Luke Humphries to claim the TV title in Milton Keynes. 51")
Luke Humphries is looking to become the first World Masters champion since Michael van Gerwen
It took Littler just 25 darts to race through the tenth set and force a decider, where he capitalised on Humphries’ failure to take out D4 to win the next two legs and claim the 11th PDC Major title.
Littler told ITV. “I was fully focused and got the job done. It was certainly strange and difficult at times, but that’s why we fight in every game and every leg. I won.
“Luke and I are the first majors of the year, and I am confident that this trend will continue throughout the year.”
What happened on Sunday?
Humphries dropped just one leg and Littler two in quarterfinal wins over Rock and Knoppert; Price beat Chris Dobeke 4–2 and Van Veen beat James Wade by the same margin.
Littler’s eventful semi-final against Price saw the Welshman come back from a set down four times to force a decider, where the Iceman broke after a sloppy finish from Littler but later missed a match dart on tops for a 107 finish.
![Gerwyn Price [Taylor Lanning/PDC]](https://e0.365dm.com/26/02/2048x1152/skysports-gerwyn-price-darts_7152688.jpg?20260201193859 "In a thrilling final set at the Winmau World Darts Masters, Luke Little defeated Luke Humphries to claim the TV title in Milton Keynes. 52")
Gerwyn Price reached the semi-finals for the first time in five years
The teenager responded with a sneak win in the deciding leg, when Humphries overtook van Veen with a 107.8 average and won 10 of 12 legs before finishing runner-up to Littler.
“You look back at the game [against Littler] And it’s hard to pick holes in it because it was a great game of darts,” Humphries said. “The only hole was the double top three, which is the kind of pressure he puts you under.
You must successfully make their shots; otherwise, victory will not be attainable. If I hit that shot, chances are I’m going to win the game. He’s shown that real class. I told him at the end I don’t think he has a heart – he never gives in to pressure.
“You try your best to keep him under it, but he never folds. It may be premature, but I think he is the best darts player ever.”
What next?
Premier League Darts returns for a new season on Thursday, live on Sky Sports. Newcastle hosts the opening night of a 17-week schedule at venues across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
The opening night sees Littler take on van Veen – in a repeat of the World Darts Championship final, with Johnny Clayton or Rock waiting for the winner – while Humphries takes on fellow former world champion Price and Michael van Gerwen takes on Stephen Bunting.
Sky Sports will continue to be the exclusive home of the Premier League in 2026, broadcasting live every night, including coverage of world matchplay, the World Grand Prix, and the Grand Slam of Darts.Â
