In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 US Darts Masters in New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, world No. 1 Luke Humphries overcame a bizarre injury to claim a thrilling victory, cementing his status as one of darts’ brightest stars. The tournament, held from June 27-28, saw Humphries navigate a swollen thumb caused by an overzealous fan’s actions during his walk-on, yet he powered through to defeat Nathan Aspinall 8-6 in a gripping final. The triumph was a testament to his resilience, but the lingering pain has left him facing a hospital visit for an X-ray, raising questions about his immediate future in the sport.
The incident occurred as Humphries made his way to the stage for his first-round match against American Stowe Buntz on June 27. Amid the electric atmosphere of The Theater at Madison Square Garden, an enthusiastic fan grabbed Humphries’ right hand, yanking his thumb back with such force that it left the darts star wincing in agony. “On the walk-on, that guy pulled my thumb back and it really hurt,” Humphries later revealed, admitting the injury affected his performance. “It stays in your head. It’s hard to play through; I was struggling with the grip. I couldn’t hold my thumb in the same position.” Despite the discomfort, Humphries battled to a 6-4 victory over Buntz, though he confessed he wasn’t at his best, noting, “It affected my performance, but I tried my best to come back from that.”
The injury posed a significant challenge throughout the tournament. Humphries’ thumb became “incredibly swollen,” impacting his ability to grip his darts consistently. Yet, his determination shone through as he advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Danny Lauby, and then delivered a commanding 7-2 semi-final win over Gerwyn Price. By the time he reached the final against Aspinall, Humphries was resolute. He told his family, “When I was in the final, I said, ‘I’m going to give it everything, if I injure my hand in the final, it doesn’t matter.’ I tried my best, and thankfully, it was good enough.” His grit paid off, as he edged out Aspinall in a tense 8-6 battle, capitalizing on his opponent’s missed darts to secure the title.
Humphries was quick to downplay the injury’s impact on his victory, emphasizing, “I don’t want to make it all about that because I’ve won the title. I don’t want the headlines to be about me and an injury.” Still, he acknowledged the severity of the pain, stating, “The guy, when he pulled my hand back, he really hurt it. I’m going to have to go home and get it X-rayed.” He remains optimistic, adding, “I don’t think it’s broken because it doesn’t hurt to squeeze it,” and is grateful for a planned two-week break before his next event, the Baltic Sea Open in Kiel, Germany, in mid-July. This hiatus, which includes skipping the Poland Darts Masters on July 4-5, will allow time for recovery and medical evaluation.
The victory held special significance for Humphries, who described the US Darts Masters as “the one World Series tournament I really wanted to win.” Playing in Madison Square Garden, which he called “one of the top five best venues in the world,” was a dream come true. “It’s very special, and you could see my relief at the end,” he said, noting the presence of his parents added to the moment’s emotional weight. Humphries also praised the vibrant New York crowd, saying, “The crowd were absolutely fantastic. If we can treble or quadruple that, you’re going to create one of the best atmospheres darts has ever seen.” He expressed excitement about darts’ growing popularity in the US, envisioning a future where it rivals major American sports like baseball and basketball.
Humphries didn’t shy away from acknowledging Aspinall’s fierce competition. “Nathan is so gritty and determined, he came back at me and made it hard for me,” he said, noting Aspinall’s missed darts at 7-7 gave him the opening to clinch the title. “It’s nice to see him back playing the way he can—he makes me want to be better,” Humphries added, showcasing the mutual respect between the two stars.
This triumph comes on the heels of a challenging World Cup of Darts, where Humphries and Luke Littler suffered a shock second-round defeat. The US Darts Masters win was a redemption of sorts, proving Humphries’ ability to rise above adversity. As he prepares for his X-ray and a well-earned break, the darts world eagerly awaits his return, with the World Matchplay in Blackpool from July 12-20 looming as his next major challenge. Humphries’ resilience and skill ensure he remains a formidable force, thumb injury or not.
Leave a Reply