STWF|WOLVERHAMPTON, England|Nov. 9, 2025 — If there’s ever a perfect way to win a darts match, Luke Humphries just showed the world how it’s done. The reigning world No. 1 produced a stunning nine-dart finish to cap off a thrilling 5–3 comeback victory over Michael “Bully Boy” Smith on Sunday night at the Grand Slam of Darts, sending the crowd at Wolverhampton’s Aldersley Leisure Village into chaos.
Humphries, the defending Grand Slam champion, looked in trouble early on after falling behind against a sharp-starting Smith. But just as the match seemed to be slipping away, “Cool Hand Luke” rediscovered his rhythm — and then some — reeling off legs in style before delivering the perfect leg of darts to clinch the win.
The decisive moment came with Humphries needing 144 to seal the match. In a sequence that will be replayed for years to come, he hit two treble 20s before pinning double 12 to complete the nine-darter — darts’ version of a hole-in-one — and bring the Wolverhampton crowd to its feet.
“Let’s make it half a million this year [for a nine-darter bonus],” Humphries joked afterward. “I think they should bring it back — it’s a great feat. You don’t see it a lot on TV, maybe in the Premier League. But honestly, I don’t care about the money. I’m just happy to win. I love moments like this.”
From Frustration to Perfection
Humphries’ performance epitomized the composure and class that have made him darts’ most consistent performer in 2024 and 2025. After losing the opening two legs, the Newbury-born ace found his range on the treble 20 and clawed his way back with a flurry of high-scoring visits.
Once level at 3–3, he took control of the match’s tempo, punishing Smith’s missed doubles and then sealing the contest in the most emphatic way possible.
It was a first for Humphries — remarkably, the nine-darter was the first he has ever thrown in a match he went on to win, adding to the sense of satisfaction.
“It’s a strange stat, isn’t it?” he said with a grin. “I’ve hit a few before but never in a match I’ve won. So to do it tonight against Michael, in front of that crowd, in this tournament — it means a lot.”
Securing a Spot in the Knockouts
The victory also sealed Humphries’ progression to the knockout stages of the Grand Slam after he beat Alex Spellman in his opening group match on Saturday. He now faces Nathan Aspinall in his final Group G fixture on Monday evening — a match that could help determine his seeding and path toward another title defense.
Humphries is looking to fend off the challenge of teenage sensation Luke Littler, who continues to push him for the sport’s top ranking. With just £72,000 separating the pair in the PDC Order of Merit, every match and every leg now counts.
Because the rankings are calculated over a two-year rolling period, Humphries’ prize money from winning last year’s Grand Slam is set to expire — meaning he must win the title again to maintain his world No. 1 status.
“I’m better on leg difference now as well, which gives me an even better chance tomorrow,” he added. “The focus is just on performing my best every time I step on stage.”
Grand Slam Highlights: Littler and Aspinall Keep Pace
Elsewhere on Sunday night, Luke Littler showed why he’s the hottest name in darts right now, cruising past Conor Scutt 5–3 to make it two wins from two and keep the pressure on his rival for the top spot. Littler, who at just 17 has already won multiple televised titles, is playing with the confidence of a seasoned veteran and looks a real threat heading into the knockout rounds.
Nathan Aspinall also bounced back from his opening defeat to Smith with a 5–2 win over Spellman, while Martin Schindler and Niko Springer caused the night’s biggest shocks — knocking off Stephen Bunting and Michael van Gerwen, respectively, to blow their groups wide open.
Humphries vs. Littler: The Battle for Darts Supremacy
As the Grand Slam of Darts progresses, the spotlight will only intensify on the growing rivalry between Humphries and Littler — two players who have transformed the sport’s landscape.
Humphries, 29, is chasing consistency and legacy. Littler, just 17, is rewriting the rules of what’s possible at such a young age. Both could yet collide in the later rounds in Wolverhampton — a clash that would pit experience against fearless talent in what many see as darts’ new era-defining rivalry.
But for now, it’s Humphries who owns the moment — and the night — after producing the sport’s most perfect finish when it mattered most.
“It’s why we play the game,” he said. “For moments like that, when everything just clicks. It’s pure magic.”
