The 2026 Winmau World Masters saw Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler clinch his 11th major title, bringing him just one major away from a complete career Grand Slam. While Littler celebrated a dominant victory, overcoming tough challenges, the tournament also showcased standout performances from Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries. However, it proved to be a difficult event for others, including Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen, Jermaine Wattimena, and Ryan Joyce, who faced early exits and disappointing results. This article dives into the highs and lows, identifying the key winners and losers from this thrilling opening major of the year.
The Triumphant Trio: Who Conquered the Oche?
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler: A Dominant Force
It’s impossible to discuss winners without celebrating the champion himself. Luke Littler secured his 11th major title at the 2026 Winmau World Masters, marking a phenomenal start to his third year on the professional circuit. This victory leaves him with just the European Championship to claim for a clean sweep of all major PDC titles.
Littler’s path to glory was far from easy. He famously survived match darts against Mike De Decker in the first round and again against Gerwyn Price in a thrilling semi-final clash. He then delivered an “absolute clinic” against the world number two in the final, showcasing his incredible composure under pressure.
Key Highlights of Littler’s Performance:
- Decisive 4-0 whitewash against Josh Rock in the quarter-finals.
- An astounding 104.72 tournament average.
- Hit a remarkable 13 maximum 180s throughout the event.
- This 11th major title sees him surpass James Wade in the number of major PDC titles won.
Gerwyn ‘The Iceman’ Price: Back in Contention
Gerwyn Price entered the tournament hoping to reassert his status among the elite, and he certainly delivered. Despite a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Luke Littler, where he missed match darts, Price’s performance was a powerful statement.
His relentless fight against ‘The Nuke’ in an “absolute classic” proved two things: Littler is beatable, and Price still possesses the class and determination to compete at the very highest level. He also put in an extremely impressive 102.66 average performance against fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton, winning that game 4-3.
Luke ‘Cool Hand’ Humphries: The Weekend’s Most Impressive Player?
While not lifting the trophy, Luke Humphries’ display was arguably the most impressive of the entire weekend. He reached the final, losing in a very close contest against the world number one.
Humphries’ outstanding statistics in the final included a 105.51 average and 12 maximum 180s. Though it wasn’t enough for the title, it was a performance packed with positives.
He also achieved a significant breakthrough by finally overcoming his “Achilles heel,” Gian Van Veen, in an outstanding 5-0 semi-final victory. In that match, Humphries averaged an astonishing 107.80 and hit 8 maximums, solidifying his position as a top contender.
Honorable Mention: James Wade
James Wade might not have made the top three, but his performance deserves recognition. In many observers’ eyes, Wade outperformed both Stephen Bunting and Danny Noppert, two players he was directly competing with for a Premier League spot.
Despite a 4-2 loss to Gian Van Veen in the quarter-finals, Wade maintained a strong 103.68 average, proving that his excellent 2025 season was no fluke and that he remains a formidable force in major tournaments.
The Stumbling Stars: Who Faced Disappointment?
Stephen ‘The Bullet’ Bunting: Underwhelming Performance
For Stephen Bunting, the Winmau World Masters was a crucial opportunity to silence critics, especially after securing a contentious Premier League spot. Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse.
After a comfortable win against Jeffrey De Graaf, Bunting was “obliterated” 4-0 by Danny Noppert, a player many felt was more deserving of the Premier League spot. This performance did little to validate his selection and instead seemed to confirm the doubts of many.
Michael van Gerwen: A Shock Early Exit
Just weeks after winning the Bahrain Darts Masters, hopes were high for Michael van Gerwen. However, the tournament delivered a stark “reality check.”
Van Gerwen’s opening-round match against Damon Heta, who himself had been struggling, was deeply disappointing. He recorded a dismal 88.36 average and an astonishingly poor 23.53% on his doubles, hitting only four out of seventeen attempts. This led to a 3-1 defeat in the opening round, highlighting a drastic need for improvement before the next major event.
Jermaine ‘The Machine Gun’ Wattimena: Blown Out of the Water
Expectations were for a close contest between Jermaine Wattimena and Chris Dobey, or at least an entertaining one. Instead, Wattimena was “blown completely out of the water” by Dobey, suffering a dominant 3-0 first-round defeat.
After a promising, close game against Gary Anderson at the World Championship, there was hope for a strong year from Wattimena. However, his performance at the Masters, with an 89.73 average and only five attempts at doubles in the entire match, indicates a missed opportunity to build momentum.
Ryan ‘Heavy Metal’ Joyce: Continued Struggles
Ryan Joyce, often lauded as one of the best finishers in darts, continues to struggle to find his form in major tournaments. The 2026 Winmau World Masters was another disappointing chapter.
He averaged just 90.50 and hit an uncharacteristic 30% of his doubles from 10 attempts, leading to a 3-1 opening-round loss to Gian Van Veen. This marks his third consecutive major where he has exited at the first or second hurdle, a far cry from the performances expected of him.
The Verdict: A Tournament of Highs and Lows
The 2026 Winmau World Masters delivered a compelling mix of triumph and disappointment. While many players will look to build on their strong showings, others will be eager to rectify their performances. Ultimately, it was the reigning world champion, Luke Littler, who once again stood tall, cementing his place at the pinnacle of the darting world.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
