Luke Humphries was the big winner in Wolverhampton (Picture: Rex)
Christmas is starting earlier each year and there are plenty of homes where the decorations are already adorning the traditional pine tree next to the fireplace. Pah! We haven’t started our Thanksgiving celebrations yet, let alone splash out on Black Friday!
The halls, or anywhere else in the house, shouldn’t be decked until December 1 when the first advent calendar window is opened but despite that here’s an early Christmas present for punters to enjoy.
Luke Humphries has just won his second PDC title by beating former world champion Rob Cross in a thrilling finale to the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
That success follows his victory at the World Matchplay in Blackpool in July and he also reached the semi-finals of the World Series earlier this year.
Cool Hand Luke is hitting his best form just in time for next month’s PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London and he will go into the tournament as the favourite after his odds were slashed from a general 5/1 to as short as 10/3 with BetMGM, Bet UK and Unibet.
Gerwyn Price, the 2021 champion, will have his fans at 5/1 with the leading bookmakers Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill and Michael van Gerwen will also be a popular bet at the same price with the first two firms.
Michael van Gerwen is always popular at Ally Pally (Picture: Rex)
Price, however, has been affected by boisterous and disrespectful fans at Ally Pally in the past and his sole world title was during lockdown when there were no supporters in attendance. Van Gerwen’s chances can also be discounted at such odds as he is not in the best form and although he’s a three-time winner he has not won the blue riband event since 2019.
Current champion Michael Smith and double winner Peter Wright will be dangerous if they hit form and the same can be said of Cross and Gary Anderson, who flesh out the top of the betting market.
But Humphries is the man in form and the 24-year-old Leeds United fan, who was recently on television enjoying a game of arras with his favourite players at Elland Road, is full of confidence after his stellar year. Despite being shorter elsewhere he’s still available at 5/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral and should be backed before those odds are gobbled up.
• Fact of the day: The iconic fire hydrants still dotted around New York City were originally made in Rotherham. Domestic football returns on Friday, after a dismal international break for England, with a Yorkshire derby between The Millers and Leeds United at the New York Stadium. Rotherham won’t be able to extinguish Leeds’ charge towards promotion and the visitors are 11/10 with Ladbrokes and Coral to lead HT/FT and 10/1 with the same firms, Betfred and bet365 to win 3-1.
• Ryder Cup winner Robert MacIntrye can celebrate clinching his first PGA Tour card by lifting the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland. The 27-year-old Scot, who finished tied for 18th in the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, can be backed at each-way at 25/1 with Betway.
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Luke Humphries can win his first world title.