Luke Humphries completed a memorable Gambrinus Czech Darts Open hat-trick with an 8-5 victory over Josh Rock in Sunday’s Prague showpiece, claiming his eighth European Tour title. Humphries – cheered on by a sell-out crowd at the PVA Expo – overcame a 3-1 deficit and a 153 checkout from Rock in leg eight to secure the win, following a clinical 98 kill and double ten finish.
“I feel a little bit emotional to be honest,” said Humphries, who also won the Czech Darts Open in 2022 and 2024. “I feel like every game I’ve played this weekend I’ve felt the love from the crowd. You don’t win three events in the same venue for no reason, so this is a special tournament for me.”
Humphries began Sunday with a 6-3 victory over Martin Schindler, before averaging 103 to survive match darts against Wessel Nijman and then demolishing James Wade 7-1 in the semi-finals. “Since I’ve won the Premier League it’s been tough for me. I have been struggling, but it felt so good being up here tonight,” he added.
Rock reached his second consecutive European Tour final, defeating Michael van Gerwen, Jermaine Wattimena, and Gian van Veen along the way. “Luke and I didn’t play to our full potential there,” admitted Rock. “It’s not every day you make back-to-back European Tour finals, and I’ll get another title soon. I’m starting to be a proper dart player now, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year, so it’s on to the next one!”
Van Veen and Wade completed the semi-final line-up, with Littler’s 19-match big stage winning streak halted. The European Tour continues with the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest from September 19-21.
Source: PDC.TV
