Luke Humphries injured by fan during walk-on as US Darts Masters star 'really hurt'

Luke Humphries has revealed that he sustained a thumb injury during his walk-on at the US Masters. The eight-time major champion failed to show his usual zest when beating Stowe Buntz in the first round, and he has now shed a light on why he believes he struggled at times.

Whilst walking through the crowd and up to the oche, a fan grabbed hold of Humphries thumb and pulled back at Madison Square Garden, with the world No. 1 visibly wincing in pain as he made his way up to the stage.

Humphries ultimately prevailed 6-4 over Stowe, but he wasn't pleased with his performance and felt the painful incident played a key part in why he wasn't at his usual best. He explained: "On the walk on, of course, that guy pulled my thumb back and it really hurt.

"It affected my performance but I tried my best to come back from that. That thing stays in your head, it does, it affected my performance but Stowe played really well, to be honest.

"He hit a couple of good finishes there and kind of pushed me out the game a little bit but he managed to give it away in the end, and in those last two legs he almost sort of gave me the game so I'm very fortunate to get over the line really."

Humphries is now set to face Danny Lauby in the quarter-final, and he will need to shake off his thumb problem as his opponent arrives on the back of a sensational 6-0 win over defending champion Rob Cross.

Speaking about the prospect of winning the US Darts Masters and adding the title to his ever-growing trophy cabinet, Humphries said: "It would mean the world. It is definitely the world series tournament I have always wanted to win. It's in America, the Big Apple and the one that everyone wants to be a part of. If you are winning titles in America something great is happening. Whether you win NFL's or MLBs.

"Now I will relax. There is nothing to lose now that I have made the second day. I have Danny next. The crowd will be on his side and he played really well earlier. So it will be a good prospect for us both."