NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England -- They've talked the talk, now it's time for eight of darts' best and most popular players to walk the walk as the new Premier League campaign gets under way.
Humphries was looking to get his title defence off to the perfect start with a nightly win in Newcastle and his task was made easier by Luke Littler's quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Gian van Veen. But the night belonged to Michael van Gerwen who produced a vintage display to take top spot in the Premier League table.
Premier League Night 1 results
QF: Josh Rock 2-6 Jonny Clayton
QF: Luke Littler 4-6 Gian van Veen
QF: Luke Humphries 6-5 Gerwyn Price
QF: Stephen Bunting 2-6 Michael van Gerwen
SF: Clayton 4-6 Van Veen
SF: Humphries 2-6 Van Gerwen
F: Van Veen 4-6 Van Gerwen
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There was plenty of debate over who should make the cut for this year's tournament and in the end the PDC settled on a mixture of recognised names and fresh faces to make up the eight-player field.
There are four previous Premier League champions among the group (Humphries, Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton) but The Nuke is the red-hot favourite to regain the title he won at the age of 17 in 2024.
Elsewhere, debutants Gian van Veen and Josh Rock are joined by Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price.