The 2024 PDC World Darts Championship has already delivered its fair share of drama and upsets, with Peter Wright pulling off a stunning victory against the reigning world champion Luke Humphries. The Alexandra Palace clash saw Wright, a former two-time world champion, reclaim his spot in the limelight and leave the darts world buzzing with excitement.
Humphries, or as avid darts fans will know as “Cool Hand Luke,” entered the match as the world No. 1, heavy favourite and a sure bet to make the PDC darts final. Yet, he was dethroned by Wright, which no one saw coming and that’s just sometimes how it goes.
This is single handedly the biggest shock of these PDC darts results yet. You knew this year was going to be special but how special is yet to be determined.
Humphries: A Strong Performance Despite the Loss
Even though the result didn’t go Humphries way, it’s important to note that he didn’t actually play poorly — far from it. He delivered an average of 99 and a doubles success rate of 56%, a performance that would typically secure victory and the PDC World Darts Championships. However, darts is about more than just raw stats; it’s a game of precision, timing, and handling pressure in the biggest moments. It’s fair to say that Wright just had a better day when it mattered the most.
Perhaps the pressure of defending his title played a role, with pre-match hype and expectations weighing on him. Humphries was composed and precise but ultimately fell victim to Wright’s experience and clinical finishing.
Peter Wright’s PDC World Championship Resurgence
Peter Wright, seeded 17th, proved once again why he’s one of the dart’s all-time legends. Despite a challenging year leading up to the PDC World Championship 2024, “Snakebite” showed fans that he’s not ready to retire just yet which made him one of the spectator’s favourite.
The support of the crowd was a crucial factor in Wright’s victory. The Ally Pally cheered him on from the walk-ons to the final dart, providing a boost that he described as unlike anything he’s ever experienced! I mean everyone does love an underdog.
Wright’s stats were impressive:
- 100.93 Average (higher than Humphries’ 99.23)
- 70% Checkout Success Rate (which is pretty incredible)
For a 54-year-old player, this performance was a masterclass in resilience and precision. It was a stark reminder to his competitors that Wright still has the fire to challenge the younger generation, including rising stars like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.
Other Results from PDC Darts Day 12
Day 12 of the PDC World Darts Championship wasn’t just about Wright and Humphries. Other matches delivered intense action and unexpected twists you need to know about.
Ricky Evans 2-4 Robert Owen
In a thrilling round-three clash, Robert Owen pulled off the biggest win of his career by defeating Ricky Evans 4-2. Known as "Rapid Ricky," Evans lived up to his nickname by storming through the first set in just over six minutes, including a stunning 126 checkout. However, Owen showcased grit and determination, securing his place in the last 16 for the first time and retaining his Tour Card.
Johnny Clayton 2-4 Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price, the “Iceman,” put on a dominant display in the early sets with a 106 average and a remarkable 124 checkout. Despite a forceful comeback from Johnny Clayton, who landed 121 and 141 checkouts to level the match, Price regained his composure and closed out the victory. Price’s win sets him up as a formidable contender for the championship.
PDC 2024 World Darts Championship Last 16 Line-Up
As the dust settles on Day 12, the tournament now moves into the last 16 and beyond. With Humphries out, the path to PDC World Championship glory has shifted, but the competition remains fierce.
Last 16 Matches:
- Peter Wright 4-1 Luke Humphries
- Stephen Bunting vs. Luke Woodhouse
- Luke Littler vs. Ryan Joyce
- Ricardo Pietreczko vs. Nathan Aspinall
- Kevin Doets vs. Chris Dobey
- Gerwyn Price 4-2 Jonny Clayton
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Jeffrey De Graaf
- Rob Owen vs. Callan Rydz
Quarterfinals Set for New Year’s Day: Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price have already booked their spots in the quarterfinals, with the remaining slots to be decided in the coming days.
What’s Next for the PDC World Championship?
With Humphries out, the door is open for other contenders to make their mark on the World Darts Championship 2024. Teenage prodigy Luke Littler could see his chances of winning increase, but as this tournament has already shown, nothing is guaranteed. More surprises and upsets are undoubtedly on the horizon as the competition heats up, which we for one cannot wait for.
Latest Odds with Casino Kings:
(Outright Winner)
Luke Littler – 1.83
Michael van Gerwen – 6.00
Gerwyn Price – 10.00
Peter Wright – 12.00
Stephen Bunting – 12.00
Callan Rydz – 13.00
** Odds are current to 30/12/2024.
Stay tuned for more darts results, expert analysis, and live updates from the PDC World Darts Championship 2024.