Wieze, Belgium – Luke Humphries secured his ninth European Tour title on Friday, March 27, 2026, defeating Jonny Clayton 8-6 in the final of the Belgian Darts Open. The victory, achieved at the Wieze Expo Hall, marks Humphries’ first triumph on Belgian soil and continues his impressive run of success on the European Tour since 2022, where he’s won at least one tournament annually.
The final wasn’t without its challenges for the world champion. Humphries, currently ranked number two, struggled with his doubles throughout the match, but demonstrated composure when it mattered most, ultimately showcasing his class to secure the win. The tournament also saw a surprising early exit for world number one Luke Littler, adding to the drama in Wieze.
A Difficult Path to the Final
Humphries’ journey to the final began with a hard-fought quarter-final match against Chris Dobey. Despite appearing on course for a comfortable victory, inconsistencies with his doubles threatened to derail his progress. Both players held their own in the early stages, with Humphries missing five opportunities to break in the fifth leg. However, his strong scoring power kept him in contention, eventually allowing him to accept the lead.
At 5-3, Humphries seemed poised to close out the match, but a series of missed match darts allowed Dobey to mount a comeback, leveling the score at 5-5. Humphries ultimately prevailed 6-5, despite a staggering 27 missed doubles attempts throughout the match. This resilience would prove crucial in the days to come.
Dominant Performance Against Van Gerwen
The semi-final against Michael van Gerwen presented a different challenge, and Humphries rose to the occasion with a significantly improved performance. While van Gerwen had previously averaged over 100 during the tournament, he couldn’t replicate that form against Humphries.
Humphries quickly established control, winning convincingly 7-2 with an average exceeding 105. He also significantly improved his doubles conversion rate, hitting nearly half of his attempts. This dominant display secured his place in the final against Clayton.
Clayton’s Route to the Championship Match
Jonny Clayton began his evening session with a decisive 6-1 victory over Belgian favorite Andy Baetens, dashing the hopes of a home crowd victory. Clayton’s clinical performance left little room for Baetens to challenge.
The semi-final against Niels Zonneveld proved more challenging. After a series of legs without breaks, Clayton took a 5-3 lead, but Zonneveld fought back, creating a tense and closely contested finish. In a somewhat erratic final stretch, both players had opportunities, but Clayton ultimately secured the decisive leg, earning his spot in the final.
A Final Decided by Nerves and Precision
The final against Humphries mirrored some of the earlier struggles with doubles. Humphries missed two early chances to break in the opening leg, allowing Clayton to take the lead. However, Humphries responded immediately with a stunning 142 finish and began to assert his dominance.
A series of strong legs saw Humphries extend his lead to 5-1, highlighted by a 130 checkout. Clayton appeared to be heading towards a heavy defeat, but he demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning two consecutive legs and creating opportunities to close the gap. Again, his doubles proved problematic.
Humphries regained control, moving to 7-3 and within one leg of the title. Clayton refused to concede, breaking back and reducing the deficit to 7-6, capitalizing on further missed match darts from Humphries.
In the decisive leg, Humphries remained calm under pressure. He finally converted his sixth match dart, hitting double ten to claim the Belgian Darts Open title.
Littler’s Shock Exit
The tournament also featured a significant upset earlier in the week, as world number one Luke Littler suffered a 6-5 defeat against Niels Zonneveld in the third round. Littler, on a 12-match unbeaten streak in the tournament, was aiming for a hat-trick of victories in Wieze, having won the event in both 2024 and 2025. This marked his first ranking event defeat since October of the previous year. Zonneveld had trailed 3-1 before mounting a comeback to secure the victory.
Humphries’ win solidifies his position as a leading force in professional darts, and his ability to overcome adversity – particularly his struggles with doubles – demonstrates his mental fortitude. The Belgian Darts Open provided a thrilling spectacle for fans, with unexpected twists and turns throughout the competition.
What’s Next: Luke Humphries will now turn his attention to the upcoming Premier League schedule, where he currently leads the standings. Jonny Clayton will also continue his Premier League campaign, seeking to build on his strong performance in Wieze. The PDC European Tour continues next month with the German Darts Open.
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