Humphries savours 'special' win after ending run of major near-misses

World Grand Prix Darts: Luke Humphries relieved to end losing streak in major finals after comeback win over Gerwyn Price Luke Humphries produced one of the greatest fightbacks in World Grand Prix history to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the final; Humphries won the double-start event for a second time and extended Price's wait too claim another ranked TV title Monday 5 October 2026 06:20, UK Luke Humphries was relieved to end his run of near-misses in TV major finals after delivering a sensational comeback victory over Gerwyn Price at the World Grand Prix. Humphries reached a record-breaking fourth consecutive final at the double-start tournament, where he battled back from 3-0 down to win six of the next seven sets in an impressive 6-4 win over the Welshman. Victory at Leicester's Mattioli Arena followed his win over Price in the 2023 final and makes him just the fourth player ever to claim multiple World Grand Prix titles, with Humphries' latest success securing him the £150,000 first prize. - Every results from 2026 World Grand Prix in Leicester - World Grand Prix - Price vs Humphries as it happened - Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract with NOW - Darts in 2026: Full tournament schedule and winners Humphries' victory is his first ranked TV major title since the Winmau World Masters in February 2025, with 'Cool Hand' pleased for his streak of runner-up finishes to end. "I'm just happy to get one back," said Humphries, who was second at the World Grand Prix, European Championship and Grand Slam of Darts last year before starting 2026 with runner-up finishes at the Winmau World Masters and Premier League. "It's nice to have that run of losses in major finals off my back. It feels really special - this really means the world to me. "I needed this to give me a bit of confidence. It's been a torrid 15 or 18 months for myself losing so many major finals." Humphries needed to take out a 105 finish in a final-leg decider to avoid going 4-0 down against Price, who missed set darts to move 5-4 up before losing a topsy-turvy contest. "I worked incredibly hard from 3-0 down there, showed a lot of grit and determination," Humphries added. "These wins are more sweet than the ones you win with ease. "I felt like I had not much to give tonight [Sunday]. I just didn't want to lose 6-0 and I wanted to give the fans something to be happy with, and all of a sudden I find myself 4-3 up. "I'm looking forward to taking the trophy home to my son, who can finally see his dad have another trophy and it not be a runners-up one!" Humphries back Price to end major drought 'soon' Price remains without a major title since 2022 after a third consecutive runner-up finish, having also finished second at the World Matchplay to Luke Littler and at the World Series Finals to Ross Smith, with the Ice Man also having three other semi-final appearances in majors this year. "Gezzy was amazing for those first three sets, absolutely insane," Humphries insisted. "He is going to win a major title soon. It's written in the stars for him, he can't keep playing this well and not win." Price opened with a 132.62 average in the opening set, which he completed in just 34 darts to post the best three-dart set average in tournament history, although now has three runner-up finishes at the World Grand Prix since his 2020 success. "I don't want to win a major, do I?!" Price told Sky Sports. "It's gutting I lost another one - I'm not bothered, but I am bothered. "Luke played brilliantly in the middle part of the game, but I still squandered so many opportunities to put him under a bit of pressure. I felt like it was a fantastic game - I thought I played brilliantly, and Luke played brilliantly." Mardle: Humphries didn't succumb under pressure Sky Sports Darts' Wayne Mardle: "Humphries was in trouble, then a bit more and then a bit more - so to get out of it was an incredible effort. The last two sets were his best. He was under the cosh for more than an hour but didn't succumb. He stood up to everything Gezzy [Price] threw at him, which was a lot! "When you have won before, which Luke has done many times and in many, ways, there is that belief of, 'I'm under pressure, but let's just see as I know my game can win', rather than 'oh no, I am going to get beat'. He played his game and he won. "Gezzy tightened up after a great start. He says things in the spur of the moment but the way he competes, he wants it. You can't play like he did this evening if you don't care! "It is disheartening and disappointing when you are 3-0 up and don't win, but he has lost enough finals to know nothing is a given. He is still a young man and will get many more opportunities. He knows he is good enough." What's next? The European Tour season continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy (October 9-11) and the Dutch Darts Championship (October 16-18) before the European Championship takes place in Dortmund, Germany from October 22-25. The next TV major live on Sky Sports is the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton from November 14-22, before the World Darts Championship runs from December 11-January 3 at the Alexandra Palace, with Littler defending champion of both. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract. [Image text:] BO/LE SPORTS WORLD GRAND PRIX