Luke Humphries, the world No. 1 darts player and reigning PDC World Champion, faced a rare and humbling moment at the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong on August 9, 2025, suffering a 6-0 whitewash defeat to Mike De Decker in the quarter-finals. The stunning loss, only the seventh time in Humphries’ PDC career that he failed to win a single leg, sent shockwaves through the darts community. In a candid post-match interview, the 30-year-old Englishman, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” revealed the personal struggles that contributed to his off-night, offering insight into the pressures that even the game’s elite face. “I’m absolutely gutted to lose like that, but to be honest, I’ve been carrying a lot the last few days,” Humphries admitted, hinting at the emotional toll behind his performance.
The match against De Decker, a Belgian ranked No. 29, was a masterclass from the underdog, who averaged an impressive 103.66 and boasted a 46.2% checkout rate. De Decker opened with a 14-darter, followed by a spectacular 167 checkout to break Humphries’ throw, and continued his onslaught with legs of 18, 12, 17, and 14 darts. Humphries, typically a model of consistency with a career-best 108.74 average in last year’s World Championship semi-final, struggled to find his rhythm, landing only three 180s and missing crucial doubles. “I felt guilty out there, like I wasn’t giving my all,” he confessed, pointing to distractions that dulled his usual sharpness. His comments suggest a deeper personal challenge, possibly linked to his son’s recent illness, which he cited as a factor in his early exit from the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. “I’ve had other things on my mind, and it makes it so much harder to perform at this level,” he had said after that event, a sentiment that echoed in Wollongong.
Humphries’ whitewash defeat is a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar career. Since bursting onto the scene, he has claimed eight PDC major singles titles, including the 2024 World Championship, where he defeated 16-year-old Luke Littler 7-4, and the 2024 World Matchplay. His journey from a No. 58 ranking in 2018 to world No. 1 is a testament to his resilience, having overcome anxiety and panic attacks early in his career. Yet, this loss marks the seventh time he’s been whitewashed in a leg-play event, joining the ranks of Mervyn King (2018), Karel Sedlacek and Gerwyn Price (2020), Ted Evetts (2021), Max Hopp (2022), and Ian White (2024). “It’s not fun anymore when you’re not at your best,” Humphries reflected, acknowledging the sting of the defeat.
Despite the setback, Humphries remains a formidable force, with a 2025 season that includes a Premier League title and a World Cup victory alongside Michael Smith. His ability to bounce back was evident after a similar shock at the 2024 World Championship, where Peter Wright ousted him 4-1 in the last 16. Wright, a two-time champion, praised Humphries even in defeat, saying, “He’s the best player in the world and he’s a shining hope for people and fans around the world.” Humphries’ response to that loss—accusing Wright of “mind games”—showed his competitive fire, which he’ll need as he heads to the New Zealand Darts Masters on August 15-16, where he defends his 2024 title won with an 8-2 rout of Damon Heta.
The Australian Darts Masters, part of the 2025 World Series, saw Luke Littler claim the title with an 8-4 win over De Decker, climbing to third in the World Series Order of Merit. Humphries, still atop the PDC rankings, now faces pressure to regroup in Auckland. “We discussed some things and I’m going to try and implement it,” he said of his team’s efforts to address his form, a strategy he employed after earlier losses this year. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see if Humphries can rediscover the form that saw him average 113.20 in a 2024 Grand Slam match. As he prepares for New Zealand, his focus is clear: “Now you go into the next tournament, that’s when you can be at your best.” With his sights set on maintaining his No. 1 status, Humphries’ resilience will be tested, but his track record suggests he’s far from done.
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