World primary Luke Humphries defended his Czech Open title as he beat Josh Rock 8-5 within the ultimate.

Rock, who had crushed Michael van Gerwen en path to the ultimate, received an early break of throw to go 2-0 up however England’s Humphries broke again after which reeled off a 12-dart leg to degree at 3-3.

The pair then traded legs to succeed in 5-5 earlier than Humphries received the following three legs on the spin in opposition to the Northern Irishman.

Humphries sealed victory with a scientific ultimate leg on the PVA Expo in Prague to retain the title he received a yr in the past and declare the £30,000 prime prize.

The 30-year-old’s three-dart common of 93.89 was marginally lower than Rock’s 94.1 however his checkout share (34.8% versus 26.3%) was superior.

Humphries has now received the event 3 times in 4 years following his victories in 2022 and 2024 as he earned the eighth PDC European Tour title of his profession.

“If it had been as much as me, I would have all 14 European Excursions held right here. You do not win 3 times in the identical place accidentally and it is clearly particular to me,” Humphries mentioned.

“Since successful the Premier League, the previous three months have been powerful. I’ve struggled at occasions, and I felt like I dragged Josh down in the beginning of the sport. However I by no means give in – I at all times attempt to discover a approach.”

World champion Luke Littler was earlier knocked out within the third spherical, struggling a shock 6-4 defeat by Dutchman Gian van Veen.