Humphries upset by van Duijvenbode in Budapest
Luke Humphries was beaten 6-3 by Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy. The world number two averaged only 92.67. Van Duijvenbode hit a 140 checkout to seal the win.
Humphries, the reigning world champion, entered the Hungarian Darts Trophy as the top seed and received a bye through the first round. His average of 92.67 was well below his usual standard, and he struggled to find rhythm against the aggressive scoring of van Duijvenbode, who landed the decisive 140 finish to break a 4-3 deadlock. The defeat marks an early setback for Humphries on the European Tour, where he had been expected to challenge for the title.
Van Duijvenbode, ranked 21st, now advances to face a fellow Dutchman in the next round, while Michael van Gerwen survived a scare against James Hurrell, coming from 3-1 down to win 6-4. Other notable winners included Jonny Clayton, Gary Anderson, and Rob Cross, who followed up his narrow first-round victory over Beau Greaves with a win against Luke Woodhouse.
This upset may ripple through the darts world by reshaping early-season rankings and seeding confidence. For Humphries, a quick exit could affect his momentum ahead of major televised events, while van Duijvenbode’s win may boost his own standing and attract more attention from sponsors and fans. For casual viewers, such surprises highlight the depth of talent on the European Tour, potentially increasing interest in lesser-known players and the sport’s competitive unpredictability.