HUMPHRIES HITS BACK AT CRITICS

LUKE HUMPHRIES has hit back at critics of the Premier League format.  

World No.1 Humphries took the title at the end of a 17-week marathon which turned off many spectators.  

Cheshire thrower Humphries and teen sensation Luke Littler clashed for a ninth time in the campaign in the Final. 

Former world champion Raymond van Barneveld is amongst the snipers who think that’s way too much and is taking away the spectacle. 

‘Cool Hand’ responded to enquiries about changing the competitions current make-up.  

He said: “Can you give me advice on how you change it?  

“If me and Luke play in every Players and Euro Tour, every major and every Premier League, because that is what the fans, they want all these darts, if we make the final of every tournament, you are going to see us play 40-50 times a year. 

“The only reason we play each other so much is because we end up making the finals. I don’t know how you stop it.  

“I think as much as everyone wants to change the Premier League, I am happy to be in it. 

“I don’t care what it does, what you do, whether it’s a league format, a singular night, it doesn’t stop the fact that me and Luke might play each 10-15 times a year.  

“That’s because of how much darts there are. We can play each other next weekend if we make the final [in Copenhagen].” 

He added: “The magnitude of darts now, we are playing every week and sometimes you are playing the Players Championship, two or three times a week.  

“Then a Euro Tour. If you are the two best players in the world performing so well and making the final every week, you will keep playing each other every week. 

“I would not even suggest it. I honestly don’t know. It’s up to the PDC. I’m happy playing it. I am not going to be the one that wants to change it. Of course, they do change it, I am happy with that as well. 

“But for me, I won’t be sitting here moaning, saying I don’t want to play this or I want to play in this. I am happy to be involved. The PDC know what they are doing.  

“If this is the best format for them, then they will do it. It still does good numbers, the fans still come, still gets good numbers on Sky Sports.  

“They know what they are doing. Not for people like me to change things, it’s up for people like me to work hard and win titles. Let’s not change it.” 

Eight-time major winner Humphries revealed he will now treat himself to a holiday after winning the £275k top prize.  

He admitted: “It’s hard. I don’t know. What do you treat yourself to really? I have bought a brand new house. I have bought a new car.  

“I don’t know. I am not one of those people that goes out and just wastes my money on nothing. I will have a nice holiday.  

“That will be something. I don’t think about money, I think about winning big titles and the money comes with it. 

“When you pick up trophies like this, you don’t think about how relentless it is. It makes it all worthwhile.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.