World Grand-Prix Darts Final Preview & Tips – JP
World Grand-Prix Darts Final
Now, it is time for the big one, the 2023 World Grand-Prix Darts Final. The Iceman takes on Cool Hand Luke and it promises to be a cracker. James Punt is in top form right now, his preview and tips are below.
Gerwyn Price vs Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price will be playing in his third World Grand-Prix Darts final in four years and his fourteenth major singles final, of which he has won seven. Luke Humphries is playing in only his second major final and he lost that 5-11 to James Wade in the 2021 UK Open final.
There may not be a great gap in terms of talent, but there is in terms of experience. Their H2H record is 7-3 to Price with one draw. In Luke’s favour is that he is 2-0 in 2023.
So far, Price has a tournament average of 87.29 and Humphries 87.36. We haven’t seen Price play his best but having dropped just two sets, this version of him is doing fine.
Both players have only dropped two sets across their four matches and like Price, Humphries has yet to hit top gear. Maybe this is as good as they get.
Since the Grand Prix Final became best of eleven legs, we have no finals that ended 5-0. One was 5-1, four have finished 5-2 and two each for 5-3 and 5-4. Both Price’s final were short affairs, winning one 5-2 and losing the other 5-1.
Price Up For It
I was impressed by Price’s competitiveness last night. He had the tougher gig vs. Michael Smith and it was close to start with. It was 1-1 after two five leg sets.
There had been some dire double trouble for both players and it looked like we could have been heading for a long match. At 2-2 it certainly looked that way, but Price upped his aggression and dropped just one leg in the final two sets.
He is very hard to shift when he gets the adrenaline flowing. He just seemed to need it for a few legs, to kick him up a few gears and it knocked the stuffing out of Smith.
Major Maiden
Luke Humphries has the game to beat anyone but he is trying to do something new and win a major. He is comfortable winning titles on the floor and on the Euro Tour, but this is his ticket to the top table. It is more than just winning a match.
Some players find winning easier than others. Look how long it took Michael Smith to win his first major TV title, or how long it is taking Dave Chisnall. Others, like Daryl Gurney has only played two, but won two.
Humphries has already lost one, which is not a big concern, but he really wants to win one. It is part of his career plan. Everything has gone to plan so far and the next step is to win a major. Then get into the Premier League and finally become World Champion.
He has the talent and I think he will do it, but it would not be a surprise if he got a bit tight trying to make the step up.
Top Level
Price is now at that level where it is all about major titles. He isn’t bothered about Euro Tours or Players Championships, they are just a means to an end. He wants to be a multiple major champion, and he is, and a multiple World Champion, which he might do.
Price has the hard job of beating talented players like Humphries to do it, but he has proven that he can do just that.
Price is the 1.47 favourite, Humphries 3.00 with the sponsor. Given his excellent tournament record, Price has to be the strong favourite and despite two defeats to Humphries this year, in a big final, I would expect Price to be able to get control of the match at some stage, just as he did last night.
