World No.1 Claps Back After Premier League Final Defeat
Luke Humphries found himself in an unexpected battle off the oche after his 6-1 defeat to Luke Littler in the Premier League Night Eight final in Newcastle. While his form remains strong, a fan on social media suggested that his prime was “gone”—a claim that the reigning World Champion did not take lightly.
🔥 The Facebook Exchange
A user in the “All Things Darts” Facebook group confidently declared:
“Humphries’ prime has truly been and gone. When he loses the World No.1 spot, I reckon we’re gonna see him slowly but gradually fall down the rankings.”
The comment sparked immediate backlash from fellow fans, and Humphries himself wasn’t about to let it slide. The World Matchplay champion responded with a sharp and direct clapback:
“I’ve literally won two of the last four majors, you wally! A couple of bad weeks don’t define you. Remember, this happened last year at the start of the year, and look how it ended.”
The response received mixed reactions—some fans supported him for standing his ground, while others debated whether a top professional should be engaging in online arguments.
📉 Struggles or Just a Slow Start?
Despite his defeat to Littler in a 10-minute final in Newcastle, Humphries still remains in a strong position. He sits second in the Premier League table with 18 points, just behind Littler, and well ahead of Michael van Gerwen (13 points) and Gerwyn Price (12 points).
His two nightly wins in this year’s competition prove he’s still a dominant force, but his performances in recent weeks have left him frustrated.
“It’s frustrating for myself. I come up here feeling really good, but it’s just not happening,” Humphries admitted recently in Göttingen.
“I’ve only won one big stage title this year [so far], and the last few years have been better than that. Losing in the first round a couple of weeks ago was disappointing. I want to prove something for myself.”
🏆 A Champion’s Resume Speaks for Itself
While some critics are quick to judge, Humphries’ trophy cabinet tells a different story. In 2024 alone, he captured:
✅ World Championship
✅ World Matchplay
✅ Players Championship Finals
✅ World Cup of Darts (with Michael Smith)
✅ Multiple European Tour titles
Add to that his 2025 World Masters title, and it’s clear that Humphries isn’t going anywhere.
📅 What’s Next?
With the Premier League reaching its crucial stage and major tournaments on the horizon, all eyes will be on Humphries to see if he can silence the doubters on the oche—just like he did on Facebook.
💬 What do you think? Is Humphries still at his peak, or is he in danger of slipping down the rankings? Let us know in the comments!
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.