Luke Humphries sends strong message to arch rival Luke Littler ahead of World Championship with thrilling win over 17-year-old star at Players Championship
- Luke Humphries beat rival Luke Littler 11-7 in a thrilling final in Minehead
- Littler failed to get revenge for his 2024 World Championship loss to Humphries
- However, the 17-year-old is still the favourite going into this year's competition
Luke Humphries won the Players Championship for the second consecutive year after beating 17-year-old star Luke Littler 11-7 in a thrilling final.
The world No 1 sent his rival a major statement ahead of the World Championship in December, where Humphries beat debutant Littler to win last year's competition.
Sunday night's victory secured the 29-year-old the seventh major title of his career, as he boasted a 5-1 lead at one point in the day.
Humphries started strong as young Littler showed some nerves in the packed out arena in Minehead.
Littler recovered by hitting a maximum 170 checkout and eventually reducing the deficit to 6-4.
But Humphries went on to take successive legs to draw him closer to back-to-back victories at the Players Championship and, when Littler missed at double 20, he hit it to seal another TV title.
World No 1 Luke Humphries won his second Players Championship in a row on Sunday
Luke Littler fell short of his rival again, who he lost to in the 2024 World Championship final
Humphries tipped his hat to Littler, noting that he enjoys playing the teenager, as he pushes him to become a better player.
'I'm really proud of that one because I didn't feel myself this week playing-wise,' he said, as the confetti rained down.
'There's something Luke does to you, he really drives me and makes me want to be a better player. I enjoy playing him.'
He went on to argue that himself and Littler are the two best darts players in the world, but admitted that stats would show the latter eclipses him.
'If you go by stats Luke is easily the best player in the world, but there's something about me that never gives up.
'He's made me a bit hungrier, to practice more, to try a bit harder because if no-one sticks with him, he's going to win everything. I do believe we are the two best players in the world.'
Littler, who is the favourite going into Monday's World Championship draw, rued his mistakes.
'It was tough, I missed a few doubles,' said Littler. 'If you don't take chances early on, it takes a lot to come back. I didn't have enough in the end.'
