Luke Humphries became the first player to retain the US Darts Masters after beating Luke Littler 8-7 in a deciding-leg final at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The world number two’s latest World Series win matters because of the way it landed. Humphries had led 4-1, was reeled in by four straight Littler legs, then steadied the match before closing it with an 11-dart deciding leg and a 104 average, according to Flashscore’s report on Humphries retaining the US Darts Masters title.
Humphries Turns New York Into A Record Stage
For Humphries, this was not just another win in the Luke-versus-Luke run. It gave him back-to-back New York titles, a third World Series crown, and another answer to the idea that Littler owns the biggest moments by default, especially after England’s World Cup pairing had turned their rivalry into a travelling headline act.
Littler still leaves Madison Square Garden with another final on the board after beating David Cameron, Jim Long and James Wade, but the final keeps the rivalry finely balanced before the summer majors sharpen again.
The timing is useful for Humphries. Blackpool is coming fast, Littler remains the sport’s headline force, and every tight final between them now feels like it carries ranking, rhythm and reputation in the same hand.
