Milton Keynes, UK – World number one Luke Humphries has etched his name into the history books by becoming the first-ever winner of the revamped Winmau World Masters, following an epic last-leg decider against Jonny Clayton at Arena MK.
Humphries, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past 15 months, survived a late surge from Clayton to secure a dramatic victory, taking home the prestigious title and a £100,000 prize. After storming into a 5-2 lead in sets, the 29-year-old had to hold his nerve as Clayton mounted an incredible comeback, forcing a deciding set in front of a raucous Milton Keynes crowd.
However, when it mattered most, Cool Hand Luke showcased the composure that has made him the sport’s premier player, winning back-to-back legs in the final set to clinch the trophy.
“A Massive Privilege”
Speaking after his landmark victory, Humphries expressed his pride at winning the inaugural edition of the event, calling it a “massive privilege.”
“It feels amazing,” he said. “To be the first winner of the new edition of the World Masters is a huge honour, and to do it in such a dramatic final makes it even more special.”
🗣️ "When you win in the manner that I did tonight, it feels even better!"
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 2, 2025
World number one Luke Humphries reflects on his emphatic Winmau World Masters victory to claim his seventh major title in 15 months.#WWMasters pic.twitter.com/qUPcvdgYd6
The reigning World Champion reflected on the tension of the final, admitting he feared the match was slipping away as Clayton piled on the pressure.
“I was thinking I might have let the game go to be honest,” Humphries admitted. “The nerves kicked in, my arm felt a bit heavy, and for a moment, I started to doubt myself. But I managed to find something at the right moment, and when that winning double went in, I was so relieved.”
A Champion’s Road to Glory
Humphries’ path to victory was anything but easy, as he defeated a formidable lineup of Joe Cullen, Josh Rock, Damon Heta, and Danny Noppert before his final showdown with Clayton. In the semi-finals, he had to fight back from two sets down to edge past Noppert, setting the stage for another high-pressure encounter in the final.
“When you win those really close games, they mean more,” Humphries reflected. “I’ve had some big moments in my career, like the Players Championship Finals when I beat Michael [van Gerwen] and the World Matchplay last year, but tonight was up there with the best.”
Record-Breaking Success
Humphries’ latest triumph takes his tally of televised ranking titles to seven, putting him level with two-time World Champion Peter Wright in the all-time rankings. In addition, his recent dominance has seen him achieve the highest total ranking earnings in the history of the two-year Order of Merit, with a staggering £1,904,250 earned over the past two years.
“I have had a great 15 months, but every time you lift a title, it feels special,” he said. “That’s seven major titles for me now, and I’m three away from the great James Wade. To even be close to someone like that – I can’t believe it.”
Next Stop: Premier League
With another major title in the bag, Humphries is already shifting his focus to his next challenge – the start of the BetMGM Premier League in Belfast this Thursday.
“The last few days have been really tough, but days like today make it all worthwhile when you take that trophy home,” he added. “I’m looking forward to getting straight into the Premier League, and hopefully, I can start with a bang by winning the night in Belfast.”
A New Era Begins
As the first-ever Winmau World Masters Champion, Luke Humphries has further cemented his status as the world’s best, continuing his incredible run of form. With his eyes now set on further glory, the darts world waits in anticipation to see just how many more titles the reigning World Champion will add to his growing legacy.
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.