Night 15 of the Premier League Darts took place in Birmingham, and it was Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price who sealed their spots at The O2 with a week to spare. Humphries defeated Price 6-4 in the weekly final, while Price had already secured his qualification earlier in the night. They join Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton in the play-offs, meaning Michael van Gerwen misses out for consecutive years.
In the final, Humphries took an early lead, going 1-0 up on double 10 after Price missed chances. Price levelled with a 64 checkout, but Humphries responded with a 42 checkout to go 2-1 up. He broke throw to lead 3-1 and then hit double nine to go 4-1. Price fought back with a brilliant 130 checkout and later held for 4-4. Humphries then took a 5-4 lead on 47 before sealing the win with a 117 checkout after Price missed 170.
Price secured his O2 spot earlier by beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals. Van Gerwen, who had averaged 122 and won a ProTour earlier in the week, lost to Price in the opener. Price went 2-1 up with a break, but Van Gerwen fought back to lead 4-3. However, Price broke back with a 100 checkout on double 20 and sealed it on double five. Price then faced Gian van Veen in the semi-finals, winning 6-4 after a tight contest that included a 109 checkout from Price.
Humphries began his night with a 6-0 whitewash of Stephen Bunting, breaking early and hitting double 16 to complete the sweep. In the semi-finals, he faced Luke Littler, who had whitewashed Jonny Clayton 6-0. Littler went 3-0 up in the semi, but Humphries turned the match around, winning 6-3 with a 110 average. He broke Littler's throw and held to go 4-3, then hit 98 to break again at 5-3, sealing the win with an 11-darter on double 20.
Price's qualification also sets up a potential dilemma, as he is also signed up to play the UK Open pool championship at around the same time. With the play-offs now confirmed, the top four of Littler, Clayton, Humphries, and Price will head to The O2, while Van Gerwen misses out again.
