'The goal now is to be Premier League champion': Luke Humphries not bothered by final top four position

Luke Humphries impressively won the fourteenth round of Premier League Darts play at the First Direct Arena in Leeds last week. The world champion successively defeated Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting and finally Luke Littler to secure his third evening victory of the season. As a result, Humphries may still dream of first place in the final standings.

With his victory, Humphries narrows the gap to leader Littler to seven points. The two rivals meet again in the quarterfinals of Night 15, where Humphries will have a chance to narrow the gap further.

Yet it is not so much the rankings that has his focus, but rather he is focusing his arrows on winning the title. “You know have to raise your game against Luke,” admitted Humphries to PDC. "You have to perform at a really high level otherwise you won’t have a chance.

In their clashes this season, they are 3-3, but Humphries knows that top form is necessary against the darts phenomenon. “When I played Luke in Newcastle I had no answer to his performance, but when I’m at my best, I know I can push him."

Humphries says the win in Leeds gives him confidence heading into the Play-Offs, which are scheduled in two weeks at the O2 Arena in London. “Winning in Leeds last week will give me great confidence, but the goal now is to be Premier League champion. Whatever happens in the next two weeks, that’s my focus."