Humphries back on winning trail after Belgium Darts Open success
Luke Humphries landed his second PDC title of 2026 by lifting the Belgian Darts Open in Wiese on Sunday night.
World No2 Humphries, who started his campaign by biting back over social media comments regarding his 'lack of aura', was in top form to negotiate a difficult set of fixtures – dispatching Dirk van Duijvenbode, Jermaine Wattimena, Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and then the in-form Jonny Clayton in the final.
Rated a 4/1 chance pre-tournament, Cool Hand rarely looked in trouble throughout the weekend and quipped after winning that he was further cementing his position as the world's 'second-best player'.
Humphries told the PDC: "It's one of them things where I feel my game's been there, then it's not, then it is.
"Usually in those circumstances I close the game out a lot better, but when you're not winning as much they become harder and you feel the nerves.
"I'm just dedicated and working so hard to push every dart player and be the best version of myself.
"I'm going to keep trying to be the second-best player in the world - apparently."
The big shock of the tournament came on Sunday afternoon, when red-hot favourite and world No1 Luke Littler was stunned 6-5 by an inspired Niels Zonneveld.
The improving Dutch star, 27, had already made headlines a week earlier when posting a 107 average to dispatch his legendary countryman Michael van Gerwen 6-2 at the European Darts Trophy.
But Triple Z showed that result to be anything but a fluke when conquering world champion Littler in a dramatic and high-quality contest, checking out 147 in a last-leg decider having previously spurned a handful of match darts in previous legs.
Littler, who had won 30 of his 36 games this PDC season prior to the shock loss, was graceful in defeat and will look to brush off the disappointment quickly when returning to Premier League action on Thursday in Berlin.
It will be interesting to see how the Nuke handles the occasion, having generally avoided playing events in Germany following a hostile reception from fans in the 2025 German Darts Grand Prix.
In last year's Berlin event, he exited at the quarter-final stage to Chris Dobey averaging just 93. Then, more recently, he and Luke Humphries were well below-par in an 8-4 loss to the home nation at the 2025 World Cup of Darts.
Unsurprisingly, Littler and Humphries remain the dominant forces in the 2027 PDC World Championship darts betting market.
Littler is an odds-on chance across the board, with AK Bets a standout 17/20 on the youngster making it a hat-trick of world crowns next January. Exchange punters can take even money on the teenager at the time of writing.
Humphries, meanwhile, is a general 6/1 shot with various sportsbooks – AK Bets once again going a standout 13/2 on the 2024 world champion (albeit with 1/3 each-way terms).
The big recent mover in the World Championship market has been Wessel Nijman, who was cut from 66/1 into 33/1 best price following a bloodless maiden big-stage success at this month's European Darts Trophy.
At a bigger price, man of the moment Zonneveld can still be backed for Ally Pally glory at 250/1 with the likes of LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet, having been trimmed to as short as 100/1 with William Hill over recent days.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt's p/l
7 Days
30 Days
Year 2026
🏆Really pleased to be taking home the trophy!🇧🇪 Belgium, you were amazing, and the fans were brilliant all weekend. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster of a weekend for one reason or another, but I got the job done, and it's a real boost for my season (and aura😉😂). Thanks
ZONNEVELD DOES IT AGAIN! 🤯 Luke Littler has lost his first game in Wieze! Niels Zonneveld produces a MAGICAL 147 checkout to beat the World Champion in a last-leg decider! 📺 bit.ly/PDCTVLive #ET3
