In the fast-paced world of professional darts, a new pathway to the top is emerging, challenging the traditional belief that major TV titles are the only route to stardom. Luke Humphries, once on the cusp of the elite without a single major win, pioneered this “hard way,” mastering non-televised events before ultimately dominating the biggest stages. Now, players like Wessel Nijman are mirroring this journey, suggesting that consistent excellence on the Pro Tour might be enough to secure a spot among darts’ very best, reshaping how we view success in the PDC.
Luke Humphries: The Pioneer of the “Hard Way”
Back in late 2023, Luke “Cool Hand” Humphries was on the verge of an extraordinary achievement. Despite not having won a single major televised title, he was about to break into the world’s top four and secure a coveted Premier League spot. This was a stark contrast to the usual trajectory of darts legends, who typically earn their stripes with big TV wins first. We called it “The Hard Way” because it required immense dedication and consistent performance away from the spotlight.
Just as this observation was made, the landscape of top-level darts shifted dramatically. Humphries embarked on an incredible winning streak, claiming almost every major title over the next 18 months and finishing as runner-up in most others. His initial rise, however, was built on a different foundation.
Mastering the “Floor” Events
Humphries’ secret weapon was his ability to consistently excel in the untelevised “floor” events – the Players Championships and European Tour tournaments. After several years of reaching the latter stages in both televised and non-televised competitions, he elevated his game significantly in these events from 2022 onwards.
- Consistent Finals: What started as a regular presence in finals quickly escalated.
- Title After Title: Over a 20-month period, Humphries accumulated an unprecedented number of Players Championship and European Tour trophies. This was remarkable for a player ranked outside the top 10 who hadn’t yet secured a major TV title.
Initially, some worried he might become another “floor specialist,” unable to translate his dominance to the pressure of the big stage. However, Humphries swiftly dispelled these doubts. He secured his first major at the 2023 World Grand Prix, then went on to win the World Championship, achieve the world number one ranking, and largely dominate 2024. His journey proved that consistent “floor” success could indeed be a springboard to ultimate glory.
Wessel Nijman: The Next Generation of “The Humphries Way”?
While the darts world was still processing Humphries’ meteoric rise, and then the sensational breakthrough of another Luke (Littler), the ascent of Wessel Nijman offers a crucial perspective on this evolving pathway to success.
Despite an outstanding 2026 season, Nijman, a talented Dutchman, has yet to claim a major televised title or a ranking major. Nevertheless, his consistent performances have propelled him into the PDC’s top 16. With his current form, he appears destined to climb even higher.
This raises a fascinating question: Has the PDC’s tiered system evolved to a point where sheer skill and relentless performance on the Pro Tour are now sufficient to guarantee automatic qualification for all major events – and even Premier League selection – without the immediate need to lift the game’s biggest trophies?
Nijman’s “floor” resume, while not yet matching Humphries’ pre-breakthrough collection, is rapidly growing. He is clearly poised for a major surge once he makes his inevitable breakthrough on televised stages. For those who might doubt his raw talent, a look at his head-to-head record against Luke Littler during their early careers provides strong evidence of his pure ability.
If Wessel Nijman, or any other aspiring player, manages to replicate this remarkable feat – climbing to the sport’s elite through consistent Pro Tour excellence before securing major TV titles – then perhaps it’s time we officially recognize this unique path. We should start calling it “The Humphries Way” – a testament to a new blueprint for PDC success, built on relentless dedication and consistent performance, both on and off the big stage.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
