Cool Hand Claims Perfection in Budapest
Luke Humphries playing through a confirmed back spasm, pulled of a perfect leg and 2 170 checkouts on the Final day of action in the 2023 Hungarian Darts Trophy. The World Number 6 though fell just short in the Final, losing a last leg decider to an impressive display from Dave Chisnall.
The former UK Open Finalist achieved perfection in the 12th leg after hitting double 12 to complete a 141 finish, making it back-to-back 9 darters in the last two PDC tournaments with Michael van Gerwen achieving the same feat at the World Series of Darts Finals last weekend.
“I had the 170, the nine-darter. I gave it everything and although tiredness was creeping in, I still put up a great fight with five ton-plus averages this weekend. I just could not shake Chizzy off. What a player he is. If he finds this form on a TV stage, he will win one and he’s a player that deserves to win one.â€_x009d_
Cool Hand Luke had put down a statement performance on the Saturday at the MVM Dome, averaging 108+ in beating Irish youngster Keane Barry 6-2 in the Second Round.
The Englishman continued from where he left off in his opening match of the day, dropping just one leg in beating Martin Schindler 6-1 with an average of 106.17 having missed just 2 darts on the outer ring.
Humphries continues to show the evidence of the drastic improvement in his doubling, missing just 7 darts at double in his opening 2 matches of the Hungarian Darts Trophy to reach the Quarter Finals.
The Red Dragon ended a crucial run from Luke Woodhouse in the Quarter Finals, with Woody qualifying for the 2023 World Grand Prix on the Pro Tour Order of Merit despite defeat. Luke claimed victory without reply from his opponent, again averaging 100+ with 4 180s and 9 140s in Budapest.
The Newbury born player achieved his first big fish on the Sunday against former World Champion Gerwyn Price, who was on the hunt for a 3rd Euro Tour title this year. A combined 28 140s were thrown over the 11 legs played in the Semi Final, with Luke prevailing a 7-4 winner including a 103.10 average.
The Iceman found an early break of throw in the contest but fell just short at the MVM Dome, having found a 100% doubling rate earlier in the day to knock out defending champion Joe Cullen with a 6-4 victory.
Humphries went on to hit a 100+ average in every single match of his Hungarian Darts Trophy, scoring 100.97 despite an 8-7 defeat whilst also including a perfect 9 dart leg and a 170 checkout.
Cool Hand Luke broke throw instantly after hitting the bull to complete the big fish, whilst also recorded a 63.64% finishing rate in an epic Hungarian Darts Trophy Final between 2 top scorers in the game today.
Dave Chisnall was the better player in the Final, hitting a 104.82 average whilst also including 7 180s to Luke’s 4 in Budapest. Chizzy becomes the first player in 2023 to win 3 PDC Euro Tour crowns, with one more tournament left to play this year in Hildesheim.
“If you had told me this morning that I would have got to the final I wouldn’t have believed you. I need to give credit to myself because I really battled hard today. If that dart at double 12 had gone in, this probably would have been one of the greatest games I’ve ever played.â€_x009d_
Michael van Gerwen returns to defend his World Grand Prix title next Monday from the Morningside Arena in Leicester, with the conclusion of the Hungarian Darts Trophy confirming the field for the event which includes 2017 winner Daryl Gurney and compatriot Brendan Dolan.
By Harry Masterson
2023 Hungarian Darts Trophy: Final Day Results
Last 16:
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Peter Wright (11)
Luke Humphries (3) 6-1 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price (7) 6-4 Joe Cullen (10)
Damon Heta (2) 6-4 Gian van Veen
Mike de Decker 6-2 Michael Smith (12)
Scott Williams 6-5 Danny Noppert (13)
Michael van Gerwen (9) 6-5 Jonny Clayton (8)
Dave Chisnall (1) 6-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Quarter Finals:
Luke Humphries (3) 6-0 Luke Woodhouse
Gerwyn Price (7) 6-5 Damon Heta (2)
Scott Williams 6-5 Mike de Decker
Dave Chisnall (1) 6-4 Michael van Gerwen (9)
Semi Finals:
Luke Humphries (3) 7-4 Gerwyn Price (7)
Dave Chisnall (1) 7-5 Scott Williams
Final:
Dave Chisnall (1) 8-7 Luke Humphries (3)
Image courtesy of Nándor Vörös/PDC Europe