The Pro Tour regular season came to a close in Leicester, and it was a watershed moment for Tommy Morris, who defeated Luke Humphries 8-5 in the PC34 final to seal his very first PDC title.
After taking out Rob Cross in a 6-3 first round win, Morris then blasted into the board final with a 6-0 win against Ricky Evans that consigned the Kettering man to the World Championship qualifiers, as ‘Rapid’ finished outside the all-important Pro Tour Order of Merit top 40.
After a 6-3 success against Rob Owen, Morris then averaged over 102 to sink Wessel Nijman by the same score, and a third straight 6-3 win, this time against Jermaine Wattimena, booked his semi-final place. It would be a second floor final in a week for the man from Dorset, as he came from 4-1 down, reeling off six straight legs to overcome Cristo Reyes.
Waiting for Morris in the title match would be Humphries, who was on a 13-match winning streak after winning PC33 a day earlier.
‘Cool Hand’ came from 5-3 down in his opener to oust Mike De Decker, and further wins against Bradley Brooks and Justin Hood moved him into the last 16, where a 107.31 average clinched a 6-3 win against Ricardo Pietreckzko.
An average of nearly a ton accounted for Michael van Gerwen in the last eight, and Humphries made a second straight final by winning the last two legs for a 7-5 win against surprise package Jack Aldridge.
Morris trailed 2-0 early on in the final, but roared back, winning five of the next six legs for a 5-3 lead. He pounced on doubling errors from the former World Champion, and confirmed victory in spectacular fashion, a 161 finish handing him the win, the first prize, and a place at the Grand Slam that begins next weekend.
Morris had already qualified for the PDC World Championship, and he will make his debut at Alexandra Palace and Wolverhampton, as well as Minehead for the Players Championship Finals.
It was his first PDC title of any description, and came a week after he was beaten in the PC32 final against Chris Dobey.
“I’ve come from nothing. I haven’t even got a Tour Card,” said Morris.
“For me to come here and do that, I’m just flying my flag for where I live. I’m doing it for my family. I’m so happy.
“Luke is one of the guys that I really look up to. Last year I was watching him on the TV and I said to myself: ‘I can do that.’
“For me to beat Luke like that, I’m very, very proud of myself.
“This is my dream. I had a target at the start of the year to reach the World Championship.”
“My next target is to get a Tour Card and be with these boys full-time. They’ve made me feel so welcome.”
“It’s a breath of fresh air to be around them, and to win one of these PDC events is very overwhelming for me.
“I’ve beaten some great players over the last few weeks, and putting the cherry on top is beating Luke.
“This is definitely the door opening for me. I’m very honoured. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”
Elsewhere, another nine-darter was landed, as Chris Dobey found the perfect leg during his third round win against Tom Bissell.
Wessel Nijman would finish top of the rankings for the season, while the likes of Gary Anderson and Michael Smith managed to confirm the Minehead places.
Those to miss out included Josh Rock, who was beaten in round two by Harry Ward, and Ryan Joyce was another to be unsuccessful in qualifying.
Raymond van Barneveld’s performances over the two days didn’t see him through to Minehead, but he will be at the World Championship at the end of the year.
2026 Players Championship 34
Thursday November 5
Mattioli Arena, Leicester
Last 16
Tommy Morris 6-3 Wessel Nijman
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Kim Huybrechts 6-2 James Wade
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Derek Coulson
Luke Humphries 6-3 Ricardo Pietreczko
Jack Aldridge 6-5 Archie Self
Danny Noppert 6-3 Daryl Gurney
Quarter-Finals
Tommy Morris 6-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Cristo Reyes 6-5 Kim Huybrechts
Luke Humpries 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Jack Aldridge 6-4 Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals
Tommy Morris 7-4 Cristo Reyes
Luke Humphries 7-5 Jack Aldridge
Final
Tommy Morris 8-5 Luke Humphries
