LUKE HUMPHRIES won his SIXTH major TV title in nine months with a Hollywood double double tops finish.
The World No 1 delivered the cool finale to finally shrug off Michael Van Gerwen in a thrilling 18-15 decider at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.
Humphries, 29, won £200,000 and also became the only player since Phil Taylor to produce a ton-plus average in every game in Blackpool.
He also joins an elite group of four players who have won the Worlds and Matchplay in the same year.
He said: “I feel more emotional than when I won the Worlds. I got lucky that Michael missed some doubles.
“I was feeling nervy and under pressure, I won’t lie.
“He missed a few doubles and let me in. I don’t care, I’m the Matchplay champion now.
I feel blessed to be on this stage and hold this trophy and to follow great players, especially Phil Taylor.
“To put my name on it, I’m absolutely over the moon.”
‘Cool Hand’ began by blitzing MVG with powerhouse scoring and soon hit the front to lead 9-6 including a slick 141 finish, the Dutchman was hanging on.
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Despite Humphries dominating, Van Gerwen was still fighting and narrowed the deficit to 11-9.
It was nip and tuck.
Van Gerwen then missed bull for a 164 finish and Humphries grabbed the opportunity to lead 15-13.
A sensational 131 with double 16 kill gave the Englishman a three-leg cushion and Van Gerwen then retaliated with 160 and broke Humphries to set up a nail-biting finale.
But MVG missed four darts at doubles to level it up and Humphries went within a leg of the title.
The Dutchman missed four chances at double eight and Cool Hand wrapped it up with the 100 and double double checkout.
MVG blew the next leg – but broke back instantly to trail just 14-13 on throw.
Van Gerwen missed a bull for a 164 finish – with Humphries nipping in to extend his advantage.
A 131 checkout then put Humphries two legs from victory – but MVG replied with a 160 and then broke to be just 16-15 behind.
MVG then wasted three shots at double 10 – and Humphries took attempts at the same double to edge one leg off victory.
The final leg went the same way – but with an even more incredible finish in the form of a match-sealing double-double.
