WARRINGTON’S Luke Littler denied his great rival Luke Humphries in an epic deciding-set contest to win his maiden Winmau World Masters title in Milton Keynes last night, Sunday.
The world’s top two players went head-to-head in an all-time classic at Arena MK, as Littler fought back from 5-4 down in sets to add another Premier televised title to his extensive collection.
Humphries appeared poised to retain the coveted crown after recovering from 3-1 down to lead, only for Littler to defy a 105.51 average from the world number two to win the £100,000 top prize.
The defending champion landed the first blow in a closely-fought opening stanza, but an effortless 153 checkout from Littler in set two shifted the pendulum and saw him establish a 2-1 buffer.
Humphries responded with a 13-dart break as he sought to draw level, but a relentless Littler maintained his charge, converting back-to-back 121 outshots to stretch his lead to 3-1.
His astonishing run of combination finishing continued as he pinned the bull for an 87 kill to open set five, before Humphries hit back with a blistering four-leg burst to level at 3-3.
Humphries averaged 123 in a staggering fifth set display, but he was unable to hit the front in set seven, squandering three set darts as Littler regained control once more.
However, the reigning champion conjured up a crucial 12-dart break to wrap up set eight, which he followed up with a 108 checkout and a 13-darter in the ninth to close in on a famous victory at 5-4.
Littler wasn’t to be denied, however, registering legs of 13 and 12 darts to force a deciding set, which he subsequently claimed in consecutive legs to end Humphries’ reign in Milton Keynes.
“I’m absolutely shattered after that,” admitted Littler, who averaged 104.72 to clinch his fourth straight televised ranking title.
“Going into the last break at 5-4 down, I said to myself: ‘I’ve got nothing left’, but I managed to dig deep.
“Coming in after that last break, I was fully focused, and I got the job done.
“It’s been a tough tournament at times, but this is why we battle, every game, every leg, and I’ve come out victorious.”
Following on from his latest triumph, Littler’s focus now switches to the BetMGM Premier League, which gets underway in Newcastle on Thursday February 5.
The world number one will open his campaign against Van Veen in a repeat of last month’s World Championship final, while Humphries begins his title defence against Price at the Utilita Arena.
Luke Littler denied his great rival Luke Humphries in an epic deciding-set contest to win his maiden Winmau World Masters title in Milton Keynes on Sunday.
📝 https://t.co/IxHFAAnREY pic.twitter.com/7svFXeBcXR
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 1, 2026
Another one🏆🫡 took everything I had and so happy I get to add the world masters trophy to the collection❤️ pic.twitter.com/JFNzZGeJeQ
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) February 1, 2026
