Luke Humphries has claimed the 26th Players Championship title of the year.
'Cool Hand Luke' proved too strong for Stephen Bunting in the final in Wigan, winning 8-7.
The 29-year-old Englishman seems to have hit his stride just in time to successfully defend his title at the World Grand Prix, which starts next Monday in Leicester. Notably, Humphries will face Bunting, his title defense opponent, right from the off in the first round.
This was the reigning world champion’s first Players Championship title of the year. A delighted Humphries was interviewed after the match. “This was important for me, ” emphasised Humphries, for whom this was his first ranking final since his World Matchplay title in mid-July
2024 Players Championship 26
Thursday October 3
Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan
Last 16
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse
Luke Humphries 6-2 Josh Rock
Christian Kist 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Luke Littler
Danny Noppert 6-5 Damon Heta
Robert Owen 6-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Radek Szaganski
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Christian Kist
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Danny Noppert
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Robert Owen
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 7-6 Luke Woodhouse
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Final
Luke Humphries 8-7 Stephen Bunting