Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win Premier League Darts title and massive payday

Luke Humphries ended hopes of retaining the title with an emphatic 11-8 in the final at the O2 Arena. Littler, 18, headed to London as the defending champion and red-hot favourite to come out on top again, and in turn pocket the massive £275,000 jackpot.

The teenage sensation raced into a 3-0 lead over Humphries, who looked nervous as he threw quickly. The 30-year-old responded well, though, levelling the scores by winning the next three legs.

It was five-a-piece at the break during which Humphries uncharacteristically gesticulated towards the tournament director over an issue near the oche. Humphries didn't let it get to him by taking a 6-5 lead and he went on to claim a 11-8 victory.

"Cool Hand was amazing there," former champion Glen Durrant said on . "The respect that Luke Littler gave him has to be commended. It was a slow burner from Luke Humphries but try to smile off his face now. There's great respect between the pair of them and I'm sure we will have many more finals."

A jubilant Humphries added: "Honestly, that one means the world to me. It's the one I was missing. I said in all my pre-match build- up the last few days that it was the one I wanted. I've done it now. If I don't win another title I will happy, because I've won the three hardest ones now."

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The Leeds native become only the fourth player to complete darts' Triple Crown after winning the , World Matchplay and now the Premier League. "I've joined an elite club with , and now," Humphries added. "I must say to Phil Taylor a big 'thank you' because he's been giving me a lot of support the past few weeks.

"It's really helped me so Phil if you are watching, thank you. He's given me a lot of advice and that extra boost. It wasn't my best game but I'm really please."

The Nuke was made to work hard for his place in the final against a player he has had issues against in . The Welshman managed to beat him twice in the league phase and looked capable of causing another shock.

Price went off at the mid-match break, leading 6-4 having missed chances to have an even bigger advantage. That would have been enough to have earned a win in the previous 16 weeks, but the play-offs mean a longer format and a chance for comebacks.

Who's the best darts player in the world - Luke Humphries or Luke Littler? Give us your pick in the .

And after regrouping off stage, Littler roared back, winning six of the last 7 legs to win 10-7.

After booking his place in a second successive final, the normally ice cool Littler, admitted he was feeling a few nerves. He said: "When Gezzy went 6-4 up and we went off stage I needed to get myself up for it. I stormed off stage, I had to.

"I was very nervous for the first five or six legs. But I love coming on after a break, relaxed and got the job done. I can relax now."

Humphries was also made to work in his semi-final, having been level at the break with opponent Nathan Aspinall. But the 2024 PDC champion matched Littler's result and won 10-7.