Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries “I am a lucky boy”

In the first edition of the revived classic competition at Milton Keynes’ Marshall Arena, Luke Humphries emerged victorious as the 2025 Winmau World Masters after overcoming an amazing comeback from Jonny Clayton.

As he surged into a 5-2 lead and headed for the £100,000 top prize, world number one Humphries appeared to be in complete control. However, Clayton’s valiant efforts to pull himself level at 5-5 set up a tight deciding set in an exciting final.

Clayton used a break of throw to gain the upper hand in a thrilling last stanza, but Humphries returned the favour to force a sudden-death leg.

In the revamped tournament, which uses the unusual best-of-three legs per set structure, Humphries struck consecutive 140s before taking the title on tops and became the first Winmau World Masters champion.

“I am a lucky lucky boy,” admitted Humphries. “I think was very fortunate there.

“I started to feel the nerves; when I was 5-2 up and I started to miss doubles I was trying too hard to close the game out. Jonny was coming back at me, and when he went five-all I thought the game was gone for me.

“That was a really tough game, I thought I played well in patches but in the middle bit Jonny was so dominant that I feel fortunate that I have won the trophy.

“That double top [to win], I must admit I was shaking, my heart was pounding but it went in so I am really really pleased. It is really nice to be the first name on the rejuvenated Winmau World Masters trophy.”

Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries
Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries (PDC)

Humphries’ victory is a significant start to the year, as it extends his position at the top of the Order of Merit to a record £1,904,250. He has more than £1 million in ranking money to defend in 2025.

In just 15 months since his first victory at the World Grand Prix in October 2023, Humphries’ victory became his eighth career TV ranking crown.

“To win trophies like this is amazing,” added a delighted Humphries.

“That’s a seventh major title for me now, I am three away from the great James Wade and for me to be even close to someone like that – I can’t even believe it.”

Following victories over Josh Rock and Joe Cullen in the opening two rounds, Humphries defeated Australia’s Damon Heta 4-1 in the quarterfinals then overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Danny Noppert 5-2 in the semi-finals on Sunday.

Clayton made it to his first final since the 2023 World Matchplay, marking a welcome return to his best form.

The Welshman defeated Martin Schindler on Thursday with an incredible 112 average to start the event, and he then defeated Ryan Searle in round two with a close 4-3 victory.

subsequently, with a spectacular performance, he stopped World Champion Luke Littler in the quarterfinals. In the final four, he subsequently ended the run of nine-dart hero Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Noppert defeated 2024 Masters winner Stephen Bunting in the quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon, and Van den Bergh defeated Nathan Aspinall.

Before Humphries took the lead in fifth place and surged into a seeming insurmountable advantage at 5-2, the final began with the two players swapping the first four sets.

But Clayton, a former Premier League champion, had other plans and won six of the following seven legs, including a match-high 120 checkout to tie the score at 5-5.

He lead the decisive set and appeared to be going all the way, but in a thrilling final, Humphries defeated him to win the title.

“I had to dig in, he was running away with everything,“ said Clayton.

“This guy is a class act; he gave me a few chances which I missed, but I also took a few. I didn’t give up, I wanted to give Luke a great game and I think it was a great game.

“Games like that, you need a winner and one has to lose. All credit to Luke, a fantastic person and fantastic player.”

Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries
Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries (PDC)

Winmau World Masters Glory for Humphries

Sunday February 2

Afternoon Session

Quarter-Finals

Luke Humphries 4-1 Damon Heta (2-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)

Danny Noppert 4-3 Stephen Bunting (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0, 0-2, 1-2, 2-1)

Jonny Clayton 4-2 Luke Littler (2-1, 0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)

Dimitri Van den Bergh 4-1 Nathan Aspinall (2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)

 

Evening Session

Semi-Finals

Luke Humphries 5-2 Danny Noppert (0-2, 0-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)

Jonny Clayton 5-2 Dimitri Van den Bergh (2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)

 

Final

Luke Humphries 6-5 Jonny Clayton (1-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 1-2, 2-1)