HUMPHRIES KEEPS ‘AURA LEVELS UP’ AFTER BELGIUM OPEN WIN

LUKE HUMPHRIES joked he was “just up there to work some aura points” after landing the Belgium Darts title.  

‘Cool Hand’ picked up his NINTH European Tour crown and the £35,000 top prize in Wieze after beating Jonny Clayton 8-6 in the final.    

World No.2 Humphries fired in a superb 105.96 average to sweep aside Michael van Gerwen 7-2 in the semi-finals, having earlier edged past Chris Dobey 6-5 at the Oktoberhallen. 

Humphries had faced criticism earlier in the week over a perceived lack of confidence and aura on stage but answered his critic with victory.    

He said: “Phil, honestly I was just up here to work some aura points. That’s all I was here for.    

“It’s one of them things where I feel like my game has been there and then it has not. My scoring is good and doubles are not.    

“I put myself under pressure. Usually in them circumstances I close the game out a lot better.    

“But when you are not winning as much they become a lot harder. You feel nerves. Jonny is one of the best dart players in the world.    

“You just can’t shake him off. It is really nice to get that winning feeling again and that nice big trophy on the big stage. It means a lot to me.    

“It’s nice to come to countries here that really appreciate you. I’m just going to try and keep pushing.    

“Keep working hard, keep my aura levels up because I have to, and keep trying to be the second-best player in the world.”    

Clayton reckons missed doubles cost him in the final and was quick to praise Humphries afterwards.    

He continued: “I thought I was going home early when he was 6-1 up, but he gave me a few chances to get back into it.    

“He missed a lot of doubles, to be fair to Luke. I had the chance to take two legs where I was nowhere.    

“But never mind. He is a great dart player and great person. I am proud to be a part of this great era and team in darts.”