2024 World Grand Prix Darts: Mike De Decker Beats Luke Humphries to Win Maiden PDC Televised Title

After a gripping week of darts action at the 2024 World Grand Prix in Leicester, the tournament culminated in a showdown between reigning champion Luke Humphries and Belgian underdog Mike De Decker.

This final marked a significant milestone in Humphries' career, as it was his tenth televised PDC final, including the World Cup of Darts, and his sixth consecutive TV ranking final. This remarkable achievement has only been accomplished by two other legends of the game, Michael van Gerwen in 2016/17 and Phil Taylor.

A victory in this match would not only earn Humphries his seventh solo PDC televised ranking title but also mark the first time he successfully defended a major title in his career.

For De Decker, the stakes were equally high. This was his first-ever PDC final, a stage many fans and bookmakers doubted he would reach. Despite being the outsider, De Decker defied expectations to book his place in the biggest match of his career.

Following the pre-match narrative, Humphries came out firing, setting the tone with an electric start by taking the first two legs in rapid succession, including a clinical 92 three-dart finish via two double 18s.

However, De Decker wasn't content to sit back. He fought back to claim two legs of his own, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in the first set, as Humphries finished off in characteristic style.

The second set mirrored the first in quality, but this time with the scoreline reversed. De Decker surged ahead early, only for Humphries to mount a late comeback. Yet, three uncharacteristically sloppy darts from Humphries in the deciding leg allowed De Decker to seize his opportunity, clinching his first set of the match with a double 12 finish.

The momentum shifted entirely in favour of the Belgian as De Decker stepped up his game, raising his scoring to levels perhaps even higher than what he'd shown throughout the week.

He stormed through the third set with a dominant 3-0 whitewash in legs, taking the lead for the first time in the match.

While many might falter under the pressure of facing the world number one, 'The Real Deal' only grew stronger. He carried his form into the fourth set, extending his advantage to 3-1 in the race to six sets. 

Highlighting his precision, De Decker produced a stunning 95 three-dart finish via two double-19s, reminiscent of Humphries' earlier 92. He capped off the set in style with a magnificent 154 checkout.

Image credit: PDC

De Decker maintained his relentless assault on the world champion in the next set, though not without a few nerves.

Despite missing seven darts at double to clinch the fourth set, he still managed to come through as Humphries, in an unlikely turn, failed to capitalise on the opportunities handed to him.

With the world number one now in unfamiliar territory, Humphries faced a steep uphill battle if he was to retain his World Grand Prix title.

Digging deep, he resurrected his chances by winning his first set in five, clawing back from the brink. This pivotal set featured two remarkable three-dart checkouts of 149 and 152, as Humphries displayed nerves of steel to avoid going 5-1 down and reignited his hopes.

Though De Decker responded with an extraordinary 156 finish of his own, it wasn't enough to stop ‘Cool Hand’ Humphries, who fought his way back into the contest, reducing the deficit to 4-3 in sets.

The momentum stayed firmly with the reigning champion as Humphries levelled the match at 4-4. The tide had clearly turned, with De Decker beginning to show signs of inexperience on the big stage.

The Belgian refused to be rattled. In the ninth set, he rediscovered his earlier form, delivering a spectacular 80 finish in a clutch moment to win his first set in four. Back on the scoresheet, De Decker reignited the battle, setting the stage for what was shaping up to be one of the greatest World Grand Prix finals of all time.