Belgian Darts Open - Finals Day
HEROIC HUMPHRIES EDGES PAST CLAYTON TO CLINCH BELGIAN DARTS OPEN
Luke Humphries returned to winning ways this weekend in Belgium, as the world number two produced a brilliant campaign to clinch European Tour glory, beating Jonny Clayton 8-6 in Sunday's showpiece at the Lecot Belgian Darts Open.
Humphries - roared on by a sell-out crowd at the Oktoberhallen - celebrated his ninth European Tour crown with an impressive victory over Wales' number one.
Clayton drew first blood by winning the opening leg, but it was Humphries who was resurgent as he won six straight legs to take a commanding 6-1 lead, pinning checkouts of 142 and 130 in the second and seventh legs respectively. The Llaneli-born star produced an excellent fightback of his own, winning four out of the next five legs, including a phenomenal 126 checkout on the bull after Humphries missed the bull himself on a 132 combination finish to go one away from victory. However, Humphries denied Clayton the chance of a last-leg decider, defying the Welshman's late heroics by producing a 13-darter to clinch the title in Wieze.
"I put myself under pressure, but it's really nice to get that winning feeling again." explained Humphries, after winning his first title on the European Tour stage since September 2025. "Usually in those circumstances I probably close the game out a lot better, but when you're not winning as much, it becomes harder and you feel the nerves. "Jonny is one of the most underrated dart players in the world. You cannot shake him off and big credit to him for fighting back, but this means a lot to me."
Following a ton-plus average against Dirk van Duijvenbode on Saturday, Humphries continued his good form into Finals Day, opening Sunday's play with a 6-1 success against Jermaine Wattimena, dispatching of the Dutchman with an average upwards of 102.
Humphries then survived a gruelling battle against Chris Dobey, beating Hollywood in a last-leg decider, before demolishing Michael van Gerwen 7-2 in the semi-finals, ending the hopes of another title for Van Gerwen in Belgium.
The 31-year-old, who currently sits just inside the Play-Off spots in the BetMGM Premier League - one point ahead of Van Gerwen - reiterated his love for the European Tour, having enjoyed much success on this particular circuit.
"The European Tour has made me the player I am. I've learnt my trade here, and I'm going to keep pushing," continued the 2023/24 World Champion. "I'm working so hard to try and push every dart player and be the best version of myself. "I love this sport, I love being a part of it and winning trophies like this means the world to me."
Clayton, meanwhile, defeated Sebastian Bialecki in his opening round match at the Belgian Darts Open, before beating Ross Smith 6-5 in a brutal last-leg decider, stopping the charge of Smith, who won back-to-back legs to force the decider.
The 51-year-old then ended the hopes of home town hero Andy Baetens, who enjoyed success with victories over Joe Cullen, Stephen Bunting and Martin Schindler, before falling at the hands of Clayton, who averaged just shy of 100 in a 6-1 thrashing. Clayton then survived four match darts to clinch a semi-final victory over Niels Zonneveld, beating the Dutchman 7-6 to book his place in the final of the Belgian Darts Open, in a repeat final of Night Six of the BetMGM Premier League.
"I thought I was going home early when I was 6-1 down," joked Clayton. "Luke gave me a few chances. I got back in the game, but he missed a lot of doubles to be fair. "Luke is a great dart player, a great asset to darts, and I'm proud to be part of this era of darts with these fantastic fans. "I'm trying my best. When you've got to face the likes of Luke week in, week out, it's difficult, but I'm still a part of it, so I'm proud of myself."
Zonneveld performed superbly in his run to the semi-finals, dumping out Jani Haavisto and Mike De Decker, before beating World Champion Luke Littler in a deciding-leg thriller. The Dutchman then went on to beat his compatriot Danny Noppert to book his place in the semi-finals. Zonneveld was joined in the final four by Van Gerwen, who beat Mickey Mansell, Daryl Gurney and Ryan Joyce at the Oktoberhallen to feature in yet another European Tour semi-final.
Noppert was denied a place in the last four after defeat to Zonneveld, and the former UK Open champion was joined in the quarter-finals by English duo Joyce and Dobey, who completed the last eight line-up alongside Baetens.
Earlier in the day, Littler's bid for a Belgian hat-trick was halted by Zonneveld, as the Dutchman produced a stunning 147 checkout in the deciding-leg to deny the world number one a shot at glory in Wieze.
Following a scintillating weekend of action, the 2026 Winamax European Tour will resume with the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich from April 4-6. Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen will be eyeing a second successive triumph at the Zenith in Munich, with Humphries setting his sights on back-to-back European Tour titles.