Extraordinary Luke Humphries Claims Players Championship 4

Luke Humphries returned to winning ways in Wigan on Sunday, denying Wessel Nijman a second Players Championship crown of 2026 with an impressive 8-6 victory in the final. The former World Champion produced a high-class display throughout the day at the Robin Park Leisure Centre, ultimately securing his first ranking title since October 2024 and reaffirming his position as one of the sport’s leading figures.

Humphries, currently ranked world number two, collected the £15,000 winner’s prize after averaging 104 in the final — his sixth ton-plus average of a demanding day’s play. It was a performance built on resilience, scoring power and timely finishing, particularly during the pivotal middle phase of the contest.

The final itself began with Nijman looking sharp. The Dutchman, who had already tasted success earlier in the season in Hildesheim, raced into an early advantage by claiming back-to-back legs. Humphries, however, quickly steadied himself, responding with two legs of his own to restore parity at 2-2.

Nijman then moved ahead once more, firing in three efficient five-visit legs to reassert control. At that stage, the 25-year-old appeared poised to add another title to his growing collection. Yet Humphries responded in emphatic fashion. Raising his intensity, the Englishman reeled off four consecutive legs — completed in 12, 12, 14 and 12 darts — to transform a deficit into a 7-5 lead.

That burst proved decisive. Although Nijman continued to battle, Humphries held firm and sealed victory two legs later with a clinical 13-darter, extending his unbeaten run against the Dutchman to five matches.

Reflecting on his triumph, Humphries was candid about his overall performance levels across the day.

“Except for that first game, I thought I was really good today,” he said, having posted a tournament average of 102.19.

“I’ve had some really, really tough games to play today. A couple of really tough ones early on, and then Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price; these are Premier League players.

“I missed a few doubles today, but I’m really pleased with myself and feeling really good about my game.

“I feel elated! For me, these are big. It gives me a lot of confidence because it’s the first tournament I’ve won in a long time.

“I think my son will be watching me at home. He loves watching on the screen, I’m sure he will be very happy as well!

“There’s going to be a lot of graft this year, but if I keep playing like that then the rewards will come.”

Extraordinary Luke Humphries Claims Players Championship 4 

Humphries’ path to the title underlined the quality of his display. He began with a deciding-leg victory over Martijn Dragt, navigating a potentially tricky opener. From there, his scoring gathered momentum. Successive wins over Marvin Kraft and Luke Woodhouse featured averages of 103 and 104 respectively, signalling that he was finding top gear.

In the latter stages, the level intensified. Humphries overcame fellow Premier League star Stephen Bunting before delivering one of the performances of the tournament — a superb 108 average in a 6-2 triumph against Niels Zonneveld to reach the semi-finals.

Awaiting him there was Gerwyn Price, another of the tour’s heavy hitters. Humphries once again exceeded the ton mark, defeating the Welshman 7-4 in a high-quality encounter to secure his place in the final.

Nijman, meanwhile, impressed once more as he continued his strong start to 2026. He opened with a ton-plus average against Yorick Hofkens and followed that with victories over Ryan Meikle and Cor Dekker to progress to the last 16.

The Dutchman then delivered a statement performance by averaging 107 in a comprehensive whitewash of Marvin van Velzen. Further wins over Daryl Gurney and Callan Rydz carried him into the final, where he ultimately fell just short against a resurgent Humphries.

Elsewhere in Wigan, Price moved closer to a first ranking title of the campaign, defeating Sebastian Bialecki, Kim Huybrechts and Ricky Evans before his semi-final exit. Callan Rydz also produced a notable run, beating TV title winners Danny Noppert and Mike De Decker on his way to a first ProTour semi-final since February 2025. “The Riot” recorded back-to-back ton-plus averages against Ryan Joyce and Andrew Gilding, including a near-108 average in his whitewash of Joyce.

Zonneveld continued his encouraging start to the year with a quarter-final appearance, while De Decker reached the last eight for the first time in nine months. Former World Grand Prix champion Gurney claimed wins over Dominik Gruellich and Dave Chisnall before losing in a deciding leg to Nijman. Bialecki also bounced back from an earlier defeat in the week to make the quarter-finals, highlighted by a 104-plus average against Alan Soutar.

The 2026 PDC ProTour season now heads to Leicester, where Players Championships 5 and 6 will take place at the Mattioli Arena on February 24-25. With Humphries back among the title winners and confidence restored, the battle for ranking honours continues to intensify.

Extraordinary Luke Humphries Claims Players Championship 4 

2026 Players Championship Four

Tuesday February 17

Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan

Last 16

Luke Humphries 6-3 Stephen Bunting

Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Joe Cullen

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Kim Huybrechts

Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 Alan Soutar

Wessel Nijman 6-0 Marvin van Velzen

Daryl Gurney 6-4 Dave Chisnall

Callan Rydz 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Mike De Decker 6-2 Ross Smith

Quarter-Finals

Luke Humphries 6-2 Niels Zonneveld

Gerwyn Price 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki

Wessel Nijman 6-5 Daryl Gurney

Callan Rydz 6-2 Mike De Decker

Semi-Finals

Luke Humphries 7-4 Gerwyn Price

Wessel Nijman 7-3 Callan Rydz

Final

Luke Humphries 8-6 Wessel Nijman