World Number 6 Luke Humphries moved into his first major televised Final since the 2021 UK Open, whitewashing former Masters winner Joe Cullen 4-0 in the Semi Finals.
The 28-year-old moves through to Sunday’s Grand Finale at the Morningside Arena where he will face 2020 winner Gerwyn Price, who opened the action on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over reigning World Champion Michael Smith including an opening 12 dart leg.
“I’m really happy. The last major final I made was behind-closed-doors, and now I finally get to enjoy that major final in front of a crowd.”
Luke has impressed all week in the 2023 World Grand Prix, most notably with his huge comeback over Peter Wright on Friday night, the Red Dragon thrower capitalised by punishing 15 missed darts at double from Joe Cullen in the opening set of the match.
Humphries put his foot down in the next two sets, including a 180 in each as he moved into a 3-0 lead, winning all his sets by a 3-1 scoreline.
The final set saw both players include ton plus checkouts, with the World Number 6 hitting a 138 finish in the third leg before the highest of the match was hit courtesy of Joe Cullen, finishing 150 in the very next leg.
However, it was a very professional display from the Newbury born player in the fourth set, winning all legs on throw to secure his place in the Final, hitting double 16 to checkout 42 in the deciding fifth leg and win 4-0 in sets.
“We dedicate everything for these moments, and I’m going to give it my all tomorrow. I will put everything on the line, and it will come down to who can hold their nerve.”
“I’ve got a good record against Gezzy this year which does give me confidence, but this is a different ball game. I’m going to enjoy it because these opportunities don’t come around every day.”
Humphries moves through to face Gerwyn Price on Sunday night, as the 2020 champion started his Semi Final against reigning World Champion Michael Smith with an opening 12 dart leg in double start.
The Welshman took the opening set with all 5 legs in the set being breaks of throw at the Morningside Arena.
The Iceman responded to the World Number 1 taking the third set and a 2-1 lead courtesy of a 109.98 average, by levelling the match at 2-2 without reply from his opponent including a 109 finish in the opening leg.
The World Number 4 flind another gear and kicked on from there, going on to lose just 1 of the remaining 7 legs in the contest.
He wrapped up a 4-2 victory over Bully Boy with his sixth match dart at double 2 in Leicester.
“Michael Smith is the World Champion and world number one, so I knew it was going to be difficult, I felt I probably should have been 2-0 up, and then I found myself 2-1 down.
It was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I fought back and put him under pressure from then on.”
“It was a difficult game but one that I’m glad I came through. Luke is a great player, he’s had a bit of lady-luck on his side in this tournament, but it will be tough tomorrow.”
The Final will be shown live on Sky Sports from 8pm with Luke Humphries going in search of his maiden major PDC title against a former Grand Prix winner Gerwyn Price in an all-Red Dragon 2023 World Grand Prix Final.
2023 Boylesports World Grand Prix Results:
Semi Finals:
Gerwyn Price (4) 4-2 Michael Smith (1)
Luke Humphries (6) 4-0 Joe Cullen
2023 World Grand Prix Final:
Gerwyn Price (4) v Luke Humphries (6)
—-Ends—–
Images: Simon O’Connor/PDC
