Luke Humphries created more history last night by defeating Michael van Gerwen to lift the World Matchplay.
He became only the fourth person after Phil Taylor, Peter Wright, and Van Gerwen to have captured both the Matchplay and World Championship in the same calendar year.
It takes his major tally up to six in a mere nine months, though the Premier League is a glaring omission from his CV.
The World Champion was denied the triple crown – Premier League, World Championship and World Matchplay – by Luke Littler.
Littler defeated Humphries in the final to lift the trophy after an incredible spurt that included a nine-darter.
Speaking to Darts Now, the 29-year-old spoke of his disappointment of just missing out on history.
Luke Humphries ‘gutted’ with Luke Littler
Like all elite sportspeople, Humphries is a perfectionist.
It is that hunger and desire that allows them to thrive and experience incredible success.
Despite being in the midst of a legendary year, Humphries could not hide his feelings about missing out on another major to the teenager.
He said: “Just gutted Luke [Littler] played so well in that Premier League final to be honest because I was four legs away from creating incredible history, but I’ll go back next year and play in it and try again.”
Humphries joked: “I hope I get selected.”
Disappointment for Humphries is a danger for everyone else
‘Cool Hand’ has had a stranglehold on the PDC’s top trophies over the past year.
The biggest measuring stick this sport has had is Phil Taylor who lifted both the World Championship and World Matchplay 16 times.
‘The Power’ was a relentless beast who pursued perfection irrespective of his endless resume.
If Humphries develops the same attitude, it could push his dominance to another level.
The world number one has dethroned Van Gerwen as the sport’s top man and his ruthless pursuit to ‘create a legacy’ will make it difficult for ‘Mighty Mike’ to rediscover the success he once had.
The Dutchman will inevitably win more major trophies and Littler will continue to hoover up titles.
However, if Humphries can maintain his hunger and passion for success, expect him to make a beeline for the top spots in the ‘Greatest of All Time’ lists.