Humphries has been the sport’s dominant figure throughout the last 12 months, although success on the World Series stage had proven elusive. However, the world number one broke new ground in Hamilton, defeating Michael Smith, Luke Littler and Heta to pocket the £20,000 top prize.
Heta drew first blood in Saturday’s showpiece, although Humphries soon seized control, winning five straight legs to establish a 5-1 cushion, featuring a crucial 122 checkout on the bull in leg four. The Australian number one halted Humphries’ charge with a 13-darter in leg seven, only for the World Champion to reel off the next three legs without reply to prevail with a 102.21 average.
Despite his semi-final exit, Littler will be the top seed at the Jack's World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, as the sport's biggest names battle it out for silverware in the Dutch capital from September 13-15.
2024 New Zealand Darts Masters
August 16-17, GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton
Saturday August 17 (1900 local time)
QUARTERS
Luke Littler 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Luke Humphries 6-4 Michael Smith
Peter Wright 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Damon Heta 6-5 Rob Cross
SEMIS
Luke Humphries 7-6 Luke Littler
Damon Heta 7-4 Peter Wright
FINAL
Luke Humphries 8-2 Damon Heta
