Luke Humphries lands nine-darter in epic win over Luke Woodhouse at the Winmau World Masters

Luke Humphries hit a nine-darter en route to a pulsating last-set victory over Luke Woodhouse at the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes on Saturday.

Humphries struck perfection for the third time in a televised tournament on the way to denying Woodhouse in a second round thriller at Arena MK.

The reigning World Masters champion sealed the first set, before producing a roof-raising nine-darter with a 180, 180 and 141 checkout to double his advantage in sets.

Both players appeared unflustered by the feat, as the duo were both averaging north of 105 by the time Humphries led 3-1, before Woodhouse refused to relent and remarkably levelled the contest at three apiece.

Humphries then squandered three match darts before Woodhouse took the match to a sudden-death shootout, where the former World Champion converted his last dart in hand to stumble over the finish line.

“When I hit those two 180s, I just felt like it [the nine-darter] was going to go,” said Humphries, who hammered in ten 180s and averaged 105.

“It was a great moment but if I don’t win the match it means nothing, so I’m really glad I got the win to go with it.

“Luke put me under pressure every single set. He’s definitely hit that next peak in his career.

“I think he knows he’s got the game to beat anybody and that’s what I said to him: ‘the world is your oyster now.'”

Meanwhile, Luke Littler maintained his title charge without requiring such drama, courtesy of a high quality 4-1 win over a resilient Ross Smith.

The reigning World Champion fired in legs of 11, 13, 12 and 13-darts to blitz into a two-set lead, averaging north of 116 after then taking a 3-0 set advantage to threaten the tournament record average.

Former European Champion Smith – who averaged over 102 in defeat – then recovered his footing to take a set, before Littler took out finishes of 120 and 92 in the fifth and final set to bulldoze his way to victory.

“I played very well tonight, far better than Friday,” admitted the 19-year-old, who ended the match with a 107.8 average.

“That’s what I had to do against Ross. We always have brilliant games, so I’m just glad to get through.

“Me and Josh [Rock] have had some really good games in the past, and hopefully we can have another one tomorrow.”

Littler’s reward is a last eight tussle against Josh Rock – who also impressed in his 4-1 triumph over Rob Cross.

The World Cup of Darts winner had only seven treble-less visits across the entire contest, rattling off five straight legs in the closing stages of the game to see off the 2017/18 World Champion.

“I think it was a very good performance from myself,” stated the Northern Irishman, who averaged over 101 in victory.

“Rob has taught me a lot mentally, and it’s always tough playing him, but we’re here to do a job.

“It would be fantastic to have a run here. It’s my first time in the quarter-finals, and I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

Gerwyn Price defeated his World Cup partner Jonny Clayton 4-3 in a dramatic last-leg decider, recording a 102 average in the process.

The former World Champion initially trailed 2-0 but swayed the contest in his favour after hitting four ton-plus checkouts, and despite squandering five match darts to win the final set in straight legs, won the crucial game-deciding leg with a 14-darter.

Former UK Open champion Danny Noppert whitewashed Stephen Bunting, dropping just one leg across the entire contest.

The Dutchman pinned half of his double attempts to capitalise on an off-colour display on the outer-ring from Bunting, and will face Humphries in the quarter-finals.

Gian van Veen defeated Nathan Aspinall 4-2 with doubles the difference, as the Dutch number one took out 56 per cent of his double attempts compared to Aspinall’s 19 per cent.

The European Champion faced an early onslaught from Aspinall – as the Stockport star was averaging over 110 with the game poised at one set apiece – but rallied to deliver a clinical display and progress to the quarter-finals on his debut at the World Masters.

Van Veen will meet James Wade in the quarter-finals, after the left-hander recovered from 2-0 down to edge past fellow darting icon Gary Anderson 4-3.

The 2014 Masters champion levelled proceedings at 2-2 with a trademark 120 finish, and capitalised on the Scotsman busting his score in the final leg of the contest to win the deciding set in straight legs.

2023 Masters winner Chris Dobey continued his title bid with a 4-3 hard-fought win against Damon Heta, fending off a late fightback from the Australian number one.

Dobey almost squandered a 3-1 lead after Heta won four straight legs to level the match at 3-3, but the Bedlington star took out a critical 127 outshot on the bull before wrapping up the final set to set up a quarter-final tie against Price.

Winmau World Masters 2026 Day Three Results

Saturday January 31

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey 4-3 Damon Heta
Gary Anderson 3-4 James Wade
Gian van Veen 4-2 Nathan Aspinall
Jonny Clayton 3-4 Gerwyn Price

Evening Session
Josh Rock 4-1 Rob Cross
Stephen Bunting 0-4 Danny Noppert
Luke Littler 4-1 Ross Smith
Luke Humphries 4-3 Luke Woodhouse – *Humphries hits a nine-darter*