HUMPHRIES EYES UK OPEN CROWN BUT ADMITS FRUSTRATING REGRET

LUKE HUMPHRIES admits he will be left with a “lingering feeling” if he wins the UK Open.

World No.2 Humphries stormed into the fifth round after thrashing Luke Woodhouse 10-3 in a one-sided clash at Minehead. 

‘Cool Hand’ has already won every ranked major in the sport apart from the ‘Fa Cup of Darts’ and the European Championship. 

The Cheshire thrower came agonisingly close to adding the Euros to his collection last year but missed a match dart to beat Gian van Veen in the final. 

Humphries revealed that moment could still play on his mind even if he lifts the trophy this weekend, as he bids to complete the full set of ranked Premier events before rival Luke Littler. 

He said: “It would be a notch in my belt to do it myself. I am not doing it to beat Luke [Littler]; I am doing it to earn it myself. 

“If I do win this weekend, there will always be a lingering feeling in my brain where I think I missed a match dart to complete the set. 

“It would be frustrating. But for myself, I have another ten or fifteen years to go to win that European Championship if I win this year. 

“If I never win the European Championship or UK Open, I still have achieved so much. 

“I have won all the majors I have wanted to win. There is that lingering feeling that you want to win everything that has been produced. 

“If I can, I will be really proud. I have plenty of opportunities over the years to do it.” 

Humphries also opened up about missing close friend Nathan Aspinall from the Premier League this year following his omission. 

He added: “I don’t think there is unprofound banter behind the stage where we are going absolutely mental. 

“I think you need Nathan Aspinall for that. I miss him so much in the back room because he’s full of life and he’s good fun. 

“He is one of my best mates on tour. When you do not get him there, it is a harder environment for everyone to have that banter. 

“Luke [Littler] keeps himself to himself, so he doesn’t get too involved in it. I am always a part of it and Van Gerwen always starts it. 

“For me it is a good environment; you are enjoying it and having fun. When you are on the stage, it is all business.”