Luke Humphries insists he has ‘nothing to lose’ as he bids to seal a maiden televised ranking title in Sunday’s BoyleSports World Grand Prix final.
Humphries will take on 2020 champion Gerwyn Price in Sunday’s double-start decider, after the pair overcame Joe Cullen and Michael Smith respectively in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Price recovered from a mid-game slump to topple World Champion Smith in the last four, winning nine of the last ten legs to progress to a third World Grand Prix final in four years.
Humphries, meanwhile, recorded a straight-sets victory over Cullen in the last four, punishing the Yorkshireman’s doubling woes to seal a place in his second televised ranking final.
“Just being in a major final is a special feeling. I am really excited,” admitted Humphries, a runner-up at the UK Open in March 2021.
“The build-up, the feeling of knowing that you’re involved in the one game that’s going to entertain the crowd. Nothing can beat that.
“This is the reason I play this sport, to be in these career-defining moments that make you or break you.
“We dedicate everything for these moments, and I’m going to give it my all. I am really going to put everything on the line.”
Humphries has made huge strides over the last 18 months, winning five European Tour titles and making the semi-finals in five of his last seven televised events.
The 28-year-old looks set to fulfil his undeniable potential, and victory at Leicester’s Morningside Arena on Sunday would catapult him into the world’s top four - at Price’s expense.
“This is another stepping stone. I’m on the right track,” insisted Humphries, a 2/1 outsider with title sponsor BoyleSports.
“I don’t think I’ve been at my best throughout the whole tournament, but neither has Gezzy, so it’s going to come down to who can hold their nerve.
“I’m much more mature, much more experienced now and I don’t think I will let the big occasion get to me like I would have two years ago.
“There is no pressure on my shoulders. I am the underdog, but I really believe I can win this title. Maybe we will see what Luke Humphries is made of!”
The sixth seed has conceded just two sets in reaching his maiden double-start final, overcoming the likes of 2017 winner Daryl Gurney and two-time World Champion Peter Wright en route.
Humphries has also won both of his meetings against Price in 2023, defeating the Welshman in May’s US Darts Masters quarter-finals and last month’s Hungarian Darts Trophy semi-finals.
However, the former World Youth Champion does not believe this will be a factor on Sunday, particularly given Price’s experience of big-stage success.
“That [record] does feed into that confidence, but this is a different ball game,” conceded the Englishman, who is now guaranteed a place in next month’s Grand Slam of Darts.
“European Tour semi-finals, World Series quarter-finals…we’re in a major final, and I don’t think Gezzy is going to worry about me beating him twice this year.
“This is as big as it gets, and I’m just over the moon to be in a TV final again.
“I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m going to enjoy it, because these opportunities don’t come around every day.”
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Sunday October 8 (2000 BST)
Final
Gerwyn Price v Luke Humphries
Best of Nine Sets