Luke ‘Cool Hand’ Humphries has emphatically reasserted his dominance on the Pro Tour, securing his first Players Championship title of 2026 – and his first overall since October 2024 – in a stunning display in Wigan. He defeated Wessel Nijman 8-6 in a thrilling final, showcasing exceptional form with a 104.62 average. This victory marks a significant return to silverware for the world’s number two, with other strong performances from Wessel Nijman, Mike De Decker, Sebastian Bialecki, and Callan Rydz making for a memorable tournament.
Humphries’ Unstoppable March to Victory
In a powerful statement to the darts world, “Cool Hand” Luke Humphries returned to winning ways at the Players Championship in Wigan, marking his first Pro Tour title since October 2024. The victory carried a poetic symmetry, taking place on the very same Lancashire ground where he last tasted Players Championship success.
The final saw Humphries face off against the talented Wessel Nijman, emerging victorious with an 8-6 scoreline. This result, however, barely scratched the surface of Humphries’ remarkable performance. He delivered a scintillating **104.62 average** in the final, a true masterclass of precision and controlled power. Nijman’s tenacity kept the match competitive, but Humphries’ brilliance was undeniable.
Throughout the day, the reigning Premier League champion displayed the composure and lethal accuracy expected of the world’s number two. His journey to the title was flawless:
- Seven matches played, seven victories achieved.
- Six of these victories boasted averages north of 100.
His only real scare came in the very first match, where he clung to survival in a tense last-leg decider against Martijn Dragt. After that close call, Humphries found an unstoppable rhythm, dispatching opponents with relentless efficiency. Germany’s Marvin Kraft was comprehensively beaten, followed by Woodhouse – who himself averaged over 100 but couldn’t halt the Humphries juggernaut. Stephen Bunting felt the full force of Cool Hand’s scoring power, before Humphries delivered his most refined display in a **6-2 quarter-final dismantling of Niels Zonneveld**. He then methodically neutralised Gerwyn Price, setting the stage for his compelling clash with Nijman.
Wessel Nijman’s Impressive Run to the Final
For the young Dutch talent, Wessel Nijman, reaching the final represented an enviable harvest from the opening quartet of Players Championships. With a title already under his belt and now a runner-up finish, his burgeoning credentials are clear. His path to the final included impressive victories over seasoned players like Daryl Gurney and Callan Rydz. Despite a strong showing, career Pro Tour title number five remains tantalisingly out of reach for now, but his consistent performance bodes well for the future.
Other Standout Performances
The tournament also saw several other players make significant impacts:
- Mike De Decker: The Belgian orchestrated a much-needed resurgence, reaching his first quarter-final since June of the previous year. This performance marks a substantive recalibration for De Decker, who has been striving to recapture the incandescent heights of his maiden major triumph at the Grand Prix in October 2024.
- Sebastian Bialecki: The Polish prodigy showcased his talent by dispatching compatriot Krzysztof Ratajski en route to the last eight. History suggests Bialecki is a player to watch when he reaches this stage – on the sole previous occasion he advanced beyond the quarter-finals, he went on to conquer the entire event. While today was just a quarter-final, his performance certainly left him smiling.
- Callan Rydz: Though he may feel the sting of semi-final defeat, a deeper sense of relief likely accompanies Rydz’s performance. It has been over a year since he experienced comparable momentum, making this semi-final run a crucial step forward for his career.
As the Players Championship concludes, many players will now turn their attention to the upcoming Euro Tour qualifiers, with Wigan’s tungsten theatre having staged yet another memorable act.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
