Luke Humphries, the 2024 World Champion, secured his third title of 2026 by winning Players Championship 17 in Leicester. He overcame a formidable challenge from Jermaine Wattimena in a thrilling final, demonstrating why he’s one of the sport’s elite. The tournament also showcased the remarkable strength of Dutch darts, with numerous players reaching the latter stages and consistently delivering top-tier performances, continuing a recent trend of significant success for the Netherlands on the Pro Tour.
A Dutch Darts Dynasty in the Making?
The world of darts has been buzzing with the exceptional performance of Dutch players recently. Over the past five weeks leading up to Players Championship 17, Dutch stars had already claimed five titles:
- Wessel Nijman: 3 titles
- Michael van Gerwen: 1 title
- Kevin Doets: 1 title
Adding to this impressive run, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jermaine Wattimena had both reached finals. With such a strong showing, expectations were high for the Dutch contingent heading into Leicester.
Mixed Fortunes for Familiar Faces
While many Dutch players excelled, some familiar names experienced contrasting fortunes. Raymond van Barneveld, who announced a temporary break from darts after this week, suffered another defeat (6-5 against Marvin Kraft), indicating his upcoming hiatus might be much needed. In contrast, Belgium’s Dimitri van den Bergh showed signs of a strong comeback, securing impressive 6-5 victories against seasoned players James Wade and Daryl Gurney. Meanwhile, three major names faced surprisingly early exits in the first round:
- Rob Cross (lost 6-5 to Connor Scutt)
- Josh Rock (lost 6-5 to Samuel Price)
- Michael Smith (lost 6-1 to Stephen Rosney)
Humphries’ Unstoppable March to Victory
Luke Humphries, returning to the Pro Tour, immediately made a statement. He kicked off his campaign with a phenomenal 112.18 average in a 6-3 win over Rhys Griffin. This elite level of play was maintained throughout the day:
- Round 2: 103.83 average
- Round 3: 109.11 average
- Quarter-final: 105.64 average
- Semi-final: 102.88 average
These consistently high averages propelled him through the rounds, culminating in a semi-final victory over a strong Danny Noppert, who himself had recorded a 105.00 average in his second-round match.
The Orange Army’s Deep Run
Despite Noppert’s semi-final exit, it was another outstanding day for Dutch darts. A remarkable seven Dutch players reached the last 16, with five of them advancing to the quarter-finals. Wessel Nijman’s pursuit of yet another title was halted by Humphries in the quarter-finals. Dirk van Duijvenbode also saw his run end in the quarter-finals, falling to an in-form Kevin Doets, who delivered a stunning 107.53 average in his 6-4 victory.
Wattimena’s Road to the Final
While Doets’ impressive run ended in the semi-finals, it was Jermaine Wattimena who emerged as the top Dutch performer of the day. “The Machine Gun” had a comfortable journey through the earlier rounds, and truly hit top gear in the semi-final. He dominated Doets with an incredible 111.05 average, securing a decisive 7-2 win (Doets himself averaged 102.65), earning his spot in the final.
The Grand Finale: Humphries vs. Wattimena
The final promised a clash of titans, with both players in exceptional form. Wattimena started strong, opening with an 11-darter and quickly doubling his lead to 2-0. However, Humphries, showcasing his championship pedigree, roared back with legs in 13, 12, and 12 darts to seize a 3-2 advantage. Wattimena managed to level the score briefly, but Humphries pulled away again. In a crucial moment, Wattimena missed two doubles in his own leg, allowing Humphries to move to a 5-3 lead.
Both players held their next throws, making it 6-4. Humphries then held his own leg to reach match point, leading 7-4. He sealed his victory in the twelfth leg, checking out 48 in two darts. “Cool Hand Luke” emerged victorious with an 8-4 win, marking his return to top form after a period of mixed results.
Tournament Bracket Highlights
Quarter-Final Results
- Luke Humphries 6-3 Wessel Nijman
- Danny Noppert 6-5 Rob Owen
- Kevin Doets 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Semi-Final Results
- Luke Humphries 7-3 Danny Noppert
- Jermaine Wattimena 7-2 Kevin Doets
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
