World number one Luke Humphries held off a brilliant fightback by Jonny Clayton to take the Winmau World Masters title 6-5 after a last-leg decider in Milton Keynes.
Clayton – who had knocked out world champion Luke Littler during Sunday's afternoon session – looked down and out when trailing 5-2 in the first-to-six final.
But the Welshman rallied to claw back the deficit as Humphries’ range faltered and a stunning Shanghai 120 finish helped set up a deciding set.
After Clayton took the first leg to move one away from a remarkable turnaround, Humphries dug deep again, levelling the set at 1-1 before hitting back-to-back 140s to crank up the pressure.
Clayton, though, was still left with a shot at 120 for the title, but this time could not deliver, allowing Humphries to nail double top for a seventh major ranking event victory.
HUMPHRIES WINS THE TITLE DECIDER! 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 2, 2025
Luke Humphries wins a dramatic deciding leg against Jonny Clayton to claim the title!
One of the most incredible finals you will ever see!
📺 https://t.co/MihfqStAVW #WWMasters pic.twitter.com/UCjP6P0AsA
"I think I was a bit fortunate there, I started to feel the nerves in the end," Humphries said on ITV4.
"When I was 5-2 up and missing doubles, I was trying too hard to close the game out and Jonny was coming back.
"At 5-5, I am not a negative person, but I thought the game was gone for me, because he was scoring so well – that is why he is the Ferret, because he is constantly at your heels. It was a really tough game."
Humphries added: "I feel fortunate I have won the trophy. I had a bit of luck this weekend, but you have got to take it, run with it and try to do what you can.
"With that double top I was shaking and my heart was pounding, but it went in, so I am really, really pleased."
Clayton was left to reflect on what might have been. "He was running away with everything, but I didn’t give up," he said.
"I wanted to give him a great game, but it was not my day. It was Luke’s and he is a class act. He is a fantastic person and fantastic player."
Earlier, Littler’s blistering run at the Arena MK had been brought to a halt by an inspired performance from Clayton, who beat the 18-year-old world champion 4-2.
Clayton’s heavy scoring combined with his 60% on the doubles proved crucial as Littler’s finishing was down at just seven out of 20 attempts.
Dutchman Danny Noppert had edged out defending champion Stephen Bunting 4-3 in a last-leg decider, before then being swept aside 5-2 by Humphries in their semi-final at the start of Sunday’s evening session.
Humphries had opened the afternoon with a 4-1 win over Australian Damon Heta.
DIMI DOES THE NINE-DARTER! 🔥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 1, 2025
DARTING PERFECTION FROM DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH!
The Belgian produces a moment of absolute magic in his last 16 clash against Michael van Gerwen!
📺 https://t.co/MihfqStAVW #WWMasters pic.twitter.com/4ezoZTqy26
Dimitri Van den Bergh – who hit a nine-dart finish in his win over Michael van Gerwen on Saturday – beat Nathan Aspinall by the same scoreline to progress to the semi-finals, where he lost 5-2 against Clayton.
