Luke Humphries completes hat-trick of Czech Darts Open titles
Luke Humphries completed a hat-trick of Czech Darts Open titles with an 8-5 victory over Josh Rock in the final in Prague on Sunday.
Humphries became the first player to successfully retain the Czech Open title as he secured his first European Tour silverware of the season at the PVA Expo.
The world number one, roared on by a sell-out crowd, clinched his eighth European Tour crown with an impressive comeback win over Northern Ireland’s number one.
Rock punished a slow start from Humphries to establish a 3-1 lead before defying a terrific three-leg burst from the Englishman to restore parity at four-all with a 153 checkout.
However, Rock paid the price for missing three darts at doubles to level at six apiece, as Humphries followed up a 98 finish by pinning double ten to retain his title.
“I feel a little bit emotional to be honest,” admitted Humphries.
“Sometimes when I play I don’t feel like I get so much love but I feel like I’ve got it here. Every game I’ve played I’ve felt the love.
“You don’t win three events in the same venue for no reason, so this is a special tournament for me.
“Since I’ve won the Premier League it’s been tough for me. I have been struggling, but it felt so good being up here tonight.
“Now I feel dangerous again. This is when you need to be at your best, at the back end of the year.
“I know if I want to stay as world number one I have to put the effort in and work hard. I want to be World Champion again, so it all starts from now.”
Following a below-par display against Dirk van Duijvenbode on Saturday, Humphries was much improved on Sunday, kicking off with a 6-3 success against Martin Schindler.
Humphries then averaged 103 as he overturned a 5-3 deficit against Wessel Nijman, surviving two match darts before going on to demolish James Wade 7-1 in the semi-finals.
The 30-year-old was without a big stage title since his US Darts Masters triumph in June, but returns to the winner’s circle and becomes only the fifth player in history to win eight European Tour titles.
Rock, meanwhile, defeated a trio of Dutchmen to reach his second successive European Tour final, starting Sunday’s action with a 103 average in a 6-4 win over a below-par Michael van Gerwen.
The World Cup of Darts winner then defied a 107 average from Jermaine Wattimena to seal a sensational 6-1 victory with a 110 average in the quarter-finals, which he backed up a clinical 7-3 win over Gian van Veen in the semis.
“Luke and I didn’t play to our full potential there,” said Rock.
“I never had a good record here in Prague, but now I’ve improved on that, and I’m happy with the last two weekends I’ve had.
“It’s not every day you make back-to-back European Tour finals, and I’ll get another title soon.
“I’m starting to be a proper dart player now, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year, so it’s on to the next one!”
Van Veen performed superbly in his run to the semi-finals, dumping out World Champion Luke Littler and sensationally whitewashing Gerwyn Price 6-0 in the quarter-finals, despite the Welshman averaging 104.
The World Youth champion was joined in the Last Four by Wade – who overcame Nathan Aspinall, Ross Smith and Stephen Bunting to feature in his third consecutive European Tour semi-final.
Bunting fought back from 5-3 down to deny 2023 champion Peter Wright in booking his quarter-final berth, with Price and Dutch duo Nijman and Wattimena completing the Last Eight line-up.
Czech Darts Open 2025 Day Three Results
Sunday September 7
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Luke Humphries 6-3 Martin Schindler
Rob Cross 3-6 Wessel Nijman
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Peter Wright
James Wade 6-4 Ross Smith
Luke Littler 4-6 Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Josh Rock
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Ryan Searle
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Stephen Bunting 5-6 James Wade
Gian van Veen 6-0 Gerwyn Price
Josh Rock 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 7-1 James Wade
Josh Rock 7-3 Gian van Veen
Final
Luke Humphries 8-5 Josh Rock
