Mike De Decker defeated world number one Luke Humphries 6-4 in an epic World Grand Prix final to claim his maiden televised major trophy.
Initially given a 100/1 chance of winning the tournament, the Belgian overcame darts titans such as Gary Anderson and James Wade en route to the final before the tough ask of defeating Humphries, the World Champion.
Humphries was strong favourite to retain the title after his 5-0 thrashing of Ryan Joyce in the semis. He averaged over 100 that match, making him only the third player ever to average 100+ in a double-in best of nine sets match after Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, he could not replicate such a monstrous performance in the final. De Decker, initially a set down, surged to a 4-1 lead in the final.
The world number one hit his stride in the sixth set. A leg away from being 5-1 down, Humphries hammered in 149 and 152 checkouts in successive legs to win the set.
De Decker’s scoring slowed and nerves were evident, as Humphries kept momentum rolling to draw the match level at 4-4.
In another twist, De Decker broke Humphries’ throw in the ninth set to regain his lead. And, following his 16th 180 of the match, the Belgian pinned 55 for the match to claim victory in an epic World Grand Prix final.
Embed from Getty Images“I’m so, so, so, so, so, so, so happy,” De Decker told Sky Sports after the match. So happy, he almost forgot to collect the trophy.
“The way Luke has been playing since last year is just brilliant and being the person that beats him, in a final, picking up this trophy; I’m so happy!
“I was cool in patches. In the beginning I was really nervous, then I calmed down and went 4-1 up. When he came back to 4-4 I started to get nervous again but I did it.”
De Decker has now shot up to 25th in the PDC Order of Merit. It is the 28-year-old’s highest ranking of his career to date, after almost quitting darts a few years ago.
“I lost my card, wasn’t on tour, got my card back. My best friend, my mum, everyone, they have all been behind me and thanks to them I won this trophy. I am over the moon.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHumphries, whose rapid darting ascent began after lifting this trophy last year, was gracious in defeat:
“I’m obviously gutted to lose – I felt like I really was just on the wires of everything,” he said to Sky Sports.
“It frustrating but I’m so proud of Mike, he showed so much bottle. I know how it felt like to be in that position a year ago and I felt my heart racing and my hands shaking.
“It wasn’t my night and sometimes you have to accept that it isn’t – but you’ve got a great champion and he’s got a target on his back now like I’ve got.”
