Luke Humphries clinched glory in the third European Tour of 2026, beating Jonny Clayton 8-6 in the final of the Belgian Darts Open.
A spectacular final between two world-class Premier League players saw Humphries race into a 6-1 lead, before Clayton almost grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat, bringing the match back to 7-6 before Cool Hand prevented a last leg decider.
Humphries’ ninth European Tour triumph of his career saw him walk away with a £35,000 prize, and that wasn’t the only talking point of a gripping tournament. Indeed, Luke Littler suffered a shock early exit against Niels Zonneveld, while Josh Rock was knocked out by hometown hero Kim Huybrechts.
Niels Zonneveld enjoys another magnificent run
The start of 2026 has seen Wessel Nijman become a major player in the PDC, and so has fellow countryman Zonneveld.
The world No. 39 reached the semi-finals of the European Tour 2 in Germany before losing 7-1 to eventual winner Nijman, and the 27-year-old continued that momentum in event three.
Zonneveld saw off 2024 World Grand Prix champion Mike de Decker, world No. 1 Littler, and former UK Open winner Danny Noppert before tasting a narrow 7-6 defeat to Clayton in the semi-final.
By far his most impressive performance, though, was against Littler, as he ended the Nuke’s 12-match winning streak in the Belgian Darts Open after coming from 3-1 down to win 6-5.
ZONNEVELD DOES IT AGAIN! 🤯
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 22, 2026
Luke Littler has lost his first game in Wieze!
Niels Zonneveld produces a MAGICAL 147 checkout to beat the World Champion in a last-leg decider!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #ET3 pic.twitter.com/ebJ3VrRvwP
A stunning display of his talents included a 101 average, as well as two ton-plus checkouts, including a blockbuster 147 in the final leg.
Capable of mixing it against the world’s best, the past two tournaments have shifted Zonneveld closer to his first trophy in the PDC, and he’s certainly one to watch in 2026.
Zonneveld reacts to Luke Littler victory
Beating Littler is arguably the toughest, but most rewarding thing any player can do in the sport.
The victory only highlighted how far Zonneveld has come in a short space of time, and also signifies that he’s now capable of competing at the back end of tournaments.
Speaking after his win against the world No. 1, he said: “I know, of course, that Luke Littler is a world-class player at this moment.
“I thought before the match, just play your own game. Just play what you can.
“It’s more difficult than I thought before the match. When you can win the match you are thinking about it. It was really hard.
“At the end I took a brilliant finish to end it. Such a relief. I thought this is the chance to win the match. Let’s do it. It went in.
“In the last leg I think I showed some really good nerves there. So happy.”
With six wins in his last eight matches, Zonneveld is in sensational form, and that bodes well for his prospects in future tournaments.
