LUKE HUMPHRIES has credited his fiance for ending his Premier League slump.
And Cool Hand Luke will prepare for his £350,000 title defence with “relaxing” rounds of golf.
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Luke Humphries has credited his fiance with his darts comeback Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Cool Han Luke bought his ticket to the play-offs after winning on Thursday night Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Cool Hand Luke, 31, finally got a nightly win this year when he was victorious in Birmingham on Thursday night, which also secured his spot at the playoffs at the O2 Arena.
There were lots of doubts over whether he would qualify for the four-man showdown, particularly a few weeks ago.
Yet he says inspirational words from partner Kayley – they have been engaged since May 2024 – proved the spark he needed to silence the doubters.
The world No.2 – who has reverted back to his old points and flights – said: “I’m just incredibly proud of myself.
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“Probably the most proud I’ve ever been in my life because for me, for the last two Premier Leagues, it’s all been very easy.
“You get through 14th week and you’re playing for nothing. But for these last three weeks, there’s been a lot of pressure on my shoulders to make three finals and win one.
“It means a lot to me because it shows I’ve got that grit and determination. I get written off a lot as a player.
“I didn’t think I’d make it. When we were looking at being five points from the top four, you kind of think, wow, you need a miracle here.
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Humphries may be able to avoid Luke Littler until the final if he does well in Sheffield Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“My girlfriend Kayley, she was like, you’ve got it in you. You know you can do it.
“And sometimes I just need that. A little bit of someone to tell me I can do it.
“To not even have a chance of trying to retain the title at the O2, it would have hurt me a lot. As much as I wouldn’t have admitted to it, it would have hurt me.”
Luke Littler is the Prem table topper for the third year running and will face the fourth-ranked player – which is the spot Humphries occupies – in the semi-finals in North Greenwich on May 28.
In the other semi, second in the table will face third and this could be an all-Welsh battle between Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price.
Though Sheffield next Thursday is a dead rubber in terms of qualification matters, Humphries could pick up enough points to ensure he avoids The Nuke until at least the final.
For now, he will pick up his clubs and hit the fairways.
Humphries, the 2024 world darts champion, said: “Third or fourth, it doesn’t matter.
“If I’m fourth, I play Luke and, you know, I know how to beat him, he knows how to beat me. It’s a great game but, of course, everyone likes to see that in the final.
“What will I do now? Play golf. Probably just relax.
“Probably play the ProTours in midweek for a bit of a tune up and then plenty of golf. Because I feel like that helps me now.
“I’ve been playing a lot of golf recently and it’s been making me play well, so I’m going to stick to it.”
