The US Sun

Luke Humphries blitzes Luke Littler rival Damon Heta to win New Zealand Masters after thrilling semi win vs teenage star

By Chisanga Malata,

17 hours ago

LUKE HUMPHRIES is the New Zealand Darts Masters champion.

The reigning world champ booked his place in the final of the tournament with a stunning win over Luke Littler on Saturday morning.

Humphries, 29, came back from 6-2 down to sink ‘The Nuke’ 7-6 in their scintillating semi.

That comeback set up a clash with Aussie Damon Heta, who booked his spot in the final with a dominant win over Peter Wright .

Heta well and truly lived up to his moniker against Wright in the semis.

But he was unable to bring ‘The Heat’ against ‘Coolhand Luke’, who won the tournament thanks to an 8-2 victory.

Speaking moments after winning his first World Series title, Humphries said: “Little did I know I’d have to go the furthest away to win it.

“I’ve been searching for this [for a long time].

“I didn’t think I’d win a world title before I won a world series, but it happened that way.

“I felt one was coming but my performances over the last two years in the world series haven’t been as sound as I wanted them to [be].

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LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.

The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.

He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list .

And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.

He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.

The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final – and the £275k top prize.

“Today, they still were not my best. But they were good enough.”

Reflecting on his epic comeback win over Littler in the previous round, he joked: “‘Escapehand Luke’.

“It was tough in the semi-final. It was a breeze coming through the stage.

“Everyone knows that’s my nemesis.

“It’s kind of like something that pegs me back. I can’t play to the best of my ability.

“I had to also change to a different set of flights, heavier flights.

“They kind of worked in the semis and I stuck with them.”

Heta was full of praise for the dominant Humphries, but joked: “He makes me sick just looking at him.”

Heta, of course, dumped Littler out of the UK Open in March.

Littler reacted angrily to his exit, turning his back after the Aussie looked to shake his hand.