When a player becomes world champion or world number one, it feels like the expectation is for them to win week in and week out.
Luke Humphries had already won a few majors before becoming world champion in 2024, and was able to win a few after the 2024 WC.
'Cool Hand' finally won the Premier League this year. After that title, he has 'failed' to continue meeting the incredible weekly standard he had set for himself, with the numbers practically convincing people he was struggling with his game.
Humphries did acknowledge this as semi-true, but put the drought to an end this weekend, finding a groove in Prague to win the title, after several months of subpar darts for Humphries' standards.
Humphries beats Rock in final to take home Czech Darts Open title
Luke Humphries has taken some time off from certain events since the Premier League.
It makes complete sense from a logical standpoint, as he was on the road constantly every week for several months, sometimes with the addition of ProTour events in his schedule as well.
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Much of what we have seen from Humphries since his title win against Littler in May has been games in World Series of Darts events, but he's slowly incorporating ProTour events back into his schedule.
This weekend, he played in just his second Euro Tour event since the Premier League and was able to put together a positive two days to win the event title.
Humphries did win the U.S. Darts Masters this summer, but this was the first ranked event title for Humphries since enduring some struggles after the Premier League.
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En route to the event win, he beat Dirk Van Duijvenbode on Saturday, followed by wins over Martin Schindler (3rd round), Wessell Nijman (QF), James Wade (SF) and Josh Rock (F).
These are all difficult opponents that show the success Humphries had this weekend wasn't just a fluke.
Luke's best game of the weekend came against Nijman, winning a gritty game 6-5, averaging 103.53 and overcoming a 5-3 deficit.
He'll be back in action on Tuesday, as Players Championship 26 will take place in Hildesheim.
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