The revamped Winmau World Masters kicks off in Milton Keynes on Thursday, now under the PDC banner for the first time. Once one of the most iconic tournaments in the darts calendar, it now takes the place of the Masters, and Luke Humphries is widely considered one of the favorites to win it.
However, Humphries arrives in Milton Keynes with some recent struggles behind him. After a series of early exits in World Series events and a disappointing run at the World Championship, he’s aware that his form has been lacking. Yet, the 29-year-old remains bullish about his prospects for 2025, even though he admits he’s not in top form. “I’ve not been at my absolute best in 2025 so far, but it was the same sort of scenario last year,” he said. “I still managed to reel off some great tournament wins and I was in a lot of finals, so I’m feeling positive going into the Masters.”
Humphries’ self-confidence comes from knowing that, despite recent setbacks, he tends to perform at his best during the major tournaments. “Going into the big majors is when I’m usually at my best, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend.” This mindset gives him optimism as he prepares for the newly-ranked Winmau World Masters, where he hopes to make a statement.
This year’s tournament is particularly special for Humphries, as it’s the first time the event is ranked, adding an extra layer of excitement. “This is a newly-ranked event, so it would be a special feeling to become the first player to win it as a ranked tournament!” he shared, showing his determination to make history.
Humphries faces Joe Cullen in his first match, and while he’s had his challenges recently, he’s confident that his skills will shine through when it matters most. He’ll be hoping to break the trend of early exits and start the tournament on a high note. Whether the lack of a preliminary round will help or hinder him remains to be seen, but with a sharp focus and experience on his side, Humphries will be aiming to start the weekend strong and build momentum toward the title.
