In a stunning turn of events that closed out the Pro Tour regular season, Tommy Morris secured his very first PDC title at Players Championship 34 in Leicester. Defying expectations, Morris defeated the formidable Luke Humphries 8-5 in a thrilling final. This landmark victory not only marks a significant breakthrough for Morris, especially as an unranked player without a Tour Card, but also guarantees him coveted spots in major upcoming tournaments like the Grand Slam and the PDC World Championship.
Morris’s Remarkable Journey to the Final
The Mattioli Arena in Leicester bore witness to a historic day for Tommy Morris. His path to the final was anything but easy, facing a gauntlet of top players. He kicked off his campaign with a dominant 6-3 victory over Rob Cross, setting the tone for his impressive run.
Morris then showcased his exceptional form by blasting Ricky Evans 6-0, a result that unfortunately sealed Evans’ fate, consigning him to the World Championship qualifiers after finishing outside the crucial Pro Tour Order of Merit top 40. Continuing his momentum, Morris secured a 6-3 success against Rob Owen before delivering a masterclass against Wessel Nijman, averaging over 102 to win by the same scoreline.
A third consecutive 6-3 win, this time against Jermaine Wattimena, booked his semi-final spot. Here, Morris demonstrated incredible resilience, coming back from a 4-1 deficit to reel off six straight legs and overcome Cristo Reyes 7-4, securing his second floor final appearance in just a week.
Humphries’ Dominant Streak
Awaiting Morris in the title match was Luke Humphries, a player in red-hot form, riding a 13-match winning streak after clinching PC33 just the day before. Humphries’ journey to the final was equally impressive:
- He began with a comeback, trailing 5-3 before ousting Mike De Decker.
- Further wins against Bradley Brooks and Justin Hood propelled him into the last 16.
- A sensational 107.31 average secured a 6-3 win against Ricardo Pietreczko.
- In the quarter-finals, Humphries maintained his high standard, averaging nearly a ton to defeat the legendary Michael van Gerwen.
- He reached his second straight final by winning the last two legs for a 7-5 victory over surprise package Jack Aldridge.
The Thrilling Final: A Star is Born
The final began with Morris trailing 2-0, but he quickly found his rhythm. Displaying nerves of steel, he roared back, winning five of the next six legs to establish a crucial 5-3 lead. Morris expertly capitalized on crucial doubling errors from the former World Champion, turning the tide decisively in his favour.
The climax was nothing short of spectacular. Morris confirmed his maiden victory with an awe-inspiring 161 finish, sealing the match 8-5. This incredible shot not only earned him the first prize but also secured his place at the prestigious Grand Slam, set to begin next weekend.
Morris’s Emotional Reaction and Future Ambitions
Already qualified for the PDC World Championship, where he’ll make his debut at Alexandra Palace, and for the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, this victory was particularly poignant for Morris, coming just a week after he was defeated in the PC32 final.
An emotional Morris shared his journey and aspirations:
- “I’ve come from nothing. I haven’t even got a Tour Card,” he revealed, highlighting his underdog status.
- “For me to come here and do that, I’m just flying my flag for where I live. I’m doing it for my family. I’m so happy.”
- He expressed admiration for his opponent: “Luke is one of the guys that I really look up to. Last year I was watching him on the TV and I said to myself: ‘I can do that.’”
- Beating Humphries was a huge moment: “For me to beat Luke like that, I’m very, very proud of myself.”
- His dream is clear: “This is my dream. I had a target at the start of the year to reach the World Championship.”
- Looking ahead, his next goal is to “get a Tour Card and be with these boys full-time.”
- He concluded, “This is definitely the door opening for me. I’m very honoured. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”
Other Tournament Highlights
Beyond Morris’s triumph, PC34 also saw other notable moments:
- Chris Dobey landed a perfect nine-darter during his third-round win against Tom Bissell, a rare and thrilling achievement in darts.
- Wessel Nijman finished top of the season’s rankings, a testament to his consistent performance.
- Darts stalwarts Gary Anderson and Michael Smith successfully confirmed their spots for the Minehead Players Championship Finals.
- However, some notable names missed out on Minehead qualification, including Josh Rock (beaten by Harry Ward in round two) and Ryan Joyce.
- Despite not qualifying for Minehead, darting legend Raymond van Barneveld’s performances secured him a place at the prestigious World Championship later in the year.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
