**Luke Humphries To Miss Tournament After Suffering Injury Caused by Fan at US Darts Masters**
The darts world is reeling this week after world number one Luke Humphries revealed he will be forced to take a short break from the sport following an unexpected injury sustained before he had even thrown a dart at the US Darts Masters in New York. The Englishman, who remarkably played through the pain to secure the title at Madison Square Garden, has announced he will now sit out the upcoming World Series event in Poland in order to recover.
Humphries’ misfortune occurred during the opening stage of the tournament. While making his way to face his first-round opponent, Stowe Buntz, an enthusiastic supporter inadvertently grabbed Humphries’ hand and wrenched his thumb backwards. The incident left Humphries in clear distress, though he went on to defeat Buntz despite struggling with the injury.
Demonstrating considerable grit, “Cool Hand Luke” went on to overcome American contender Danny Lauby, before notching a commanding 7-2 victory over Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals. In the final, Humphries squared off against Nathan Aspinall and prevailed with an 8-6 win, lifting the trophy despite ongoing discomfort. His triumph under such circumstances is likely to be remembered as one of the more remarkable moments in recent darts history.
Speaking to the media after his victory, Humphries described the acute pain and difficulty he endured throughout the event. “It was really tough to play through; my thumb was really swollen and I found it hard to grip the dart. I couldn’t hold it in the usual way,” he said. He added that the severity of the injury prompted a decision to undergo a precautionary X-ray back home, although he was hopeful the thumb would not be found to be broken.
Humphries has stressed that he does not want the injury to overshadow his achievement at Madison Square Garden. “I don’t want the win to be about my hand, but the guy, when he pulled my hand back, he really hurt it. I’ll need to get it checked and rested,” he explained. The player’s resilience was clear, as he shared having told his family ahead of the final, “I’m going to give it everything. If I injure my hand during the final, so be it.”
The darts star’s next scheduled appearance is set for the Baltic Sea Open on the European Tour in mid-July, providing him with several weeks of recovery time. This event is particularly important, as it precedes his attempt to defend his World Matchplay crown – one of the sport’s most coveted titles.
Humphries’ win at Madison Square Garden cements his status at the pinnacle of the sport. Reflecting on his latest success, he expressed a deep sense of pride, noting the iconic nature of the venue. “To win here, it really does mean a lot. This is one of the great stages in world darts, and to finally claim this trophy is a dream come true for me,” he declared.
Despite the adversity, having both parents present to witness his triumph added further emotion to the occasion. “To have my mum and dad here to see me win again means the world to us all,” he shared. The atmosphere in the arena, he said, only heightened the joy of his achievement.
The physical demands of darts may not always be immediately apparent to the casual observer, but Humphries’ experience underscores the pressures faced by elite professionals and the importance of player welfare at all levels of the game. Attention will now turn to his recovery, as fans and fellow competitors alike wish him a swift return to the oche for what promises to be a pivotal second half of the season.