The 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, held from September 5 to 7 at Prague’s PVA Expo, delivered a masterclass in darts as world number one Luke Humphries clinched his third title at the event in four years, pocketing a hefty £30,000 prize. The tournament, the eleventh stop on the 2025 PDC European Tour, featured a 48-player field competing for a £175,000 prize pool, with Humphries emerging victorious after a thrilling 8-5 final against Josh Rock. His journey through the tournament, marked by resilience and clutch performances, not only solidified his dominance in Prague but also underscored his enduring connection to the city, where he has now claimed eight European Tour titles.
Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” arrived in Prague as the defending champion, having dismantled Kim Huybrechts 8-1 in the 2024 final. His 2025 campaign began with a gritty 6-4 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round, a match that tested his mettle. “I didn’t play great, I’m not used to those performances, but they seem to be happening a lot more recently,” Humphries admitted, reflecting on a challenging period since his Premier League victory in May. He found his groove in the third round, defeating Martin Schindler 6-3, before narrowly escaping Wessel Nijman in a deciding-leg quarter-final. The semi-finals saw him dominate James Wade 7-1, setting up a blockbuster final against Rock, who had ousted Michael van Gerwen earlier in the tournament.
The final was a tense affair, with Rock seizing an early 2-0 lead through a break of throw. Humphries, unfazed, responded with a 12-dart leg to level the score at 3-3, showcasing his trademark composure. The match remained tight until 5-5, when Humphries unleashed a decisive three-leg surge, capitalizing on a 98 checkout to break Rock’s resolve. Despite a modest three-dart average of 93.89—slightly below Rock’s 94.1—Humphries’ superior checkout percentage of 34.8% sealed the £30,000 top prize. “If it were up to me, I’d have all 14 European Tours held here. You don’t win three times in the same place by accident and it’s clearly special to me,” he said, his affection for Prague evident. He also opened up about recent struggles, noting, “Since winning the Premier League, the past three months have been tough. I’ve struggled at times, and I felt like I dragged Josh down at the start of the game. But I never give in—I always try to find a way.”
The tournament wasn’t without its surprises. Teenage sensation Luke Littler, fresh off a Flanders Darts Trophy win, was a pre-tournament favorite but fell 6-4 to Gian van Veen in the third round. “I started off well, I thought Cammy was going to get into it but I’m just happy to get over the line,” Littler said after his 6-2 second-round win over Cameron Menzies, but Van Veen’s upset halted his charge. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, delivered a staggering 112.73 average in a 6-0 rout of Mike De Decker, only to be undone by Rock. “It’s been hard for me the last year or so, my confidence level hasn’t been great but if I keep working hard I can keep producing performances like this,” Van Gerwen reflected.
Humphries’ £30,000 haul adds to his growing legacy, with the victory marking his first ranked title since his post-Premier League struggles. The win was a confidence boost as he heads into a busy autumn, with titles like the World Series of Darts Finals and World Grand Prix on the horizon. “Luke’s obviously the best player in the world,” he had previously acknowledged of Littler, but in Prague, Humphries proved he remains the man to beat. As the darts world shifts focus to upcoming majors, Humphries’ Prague masterclass—both financially and competitively—sets the stage for a thrilling season finale.
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