World number one Luke Humphries suffered a quarter-final defeat to Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League darts in Cardiff last night.
The reigning world champion squandered a commanding 3-0 lead, eventually losing 6-4 to the Dutchman.
However, it was Humphries' decision-making in the crucial ninth leg that has sparked controversy among fans and pundits alike.
The Englishman made what commentators described as a "huge error" when given a chance to take the match into a deciding leg.
Luke Humphries was criticised for his failed attempt at a double-double 20
Sky Sports
Trailing 5-4, Humphries stepped up to the oche with 80 left on the board, while Van Gerwen needed just 25.
Rather than aiming for treble 20, which would have given him a more conventional route to a finish, Humphries opted for an audacious 'double double' on tops.
The world champion attempted to hit two double 20s, a decision that immediately backfired.
Humphries completely missed the board with his first dart, effectively ending his chances of forcing a deciding leg.
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle was scathing in his assessment of Humphries' tactics.
"That... I cannot believe what I've just seen. That, he knows that is ridiculous," Mardle said on commentary.
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Fellow commentator John Part agreed with Mardle's criticism, simply adding: "Yeah... silliness."
The unusual decision to attempt the double-double finish rather than taking the more conventional route left viewers and commentators stunned.
It proved costly as Humphries failed to recover from the error.
After missing the board with his first dart, Humphries could only hit double five with his second, leaving him without a finish.
Van Gerwen then stepped up and calmly took out 25 to secure a 6-4 victory and progress to the semi-finals.
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Luke Humphries was 3-0 up against Michael van Gerwen before losing 6-4
PA
The defeat was particularly frustrating for Humphries as he had earlier broken Van Gerwen's throw to go 4-1 up.
But the Dutchman responded by winning four consecutive legs to turn the match around.
Fans on social media were equally baffled by Humphries' decision-making.
One fan wrote on Twitter: "Humphries trying to do tops tops to stay in the match was just a bit questionable."
Another was more critical: "Why go for two double tops there? Criminal from Humphries."
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MVG comes from 4-1 down to beat Luke Humphries 6-4! 💪🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/dIwqVLoJxD
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 20, 2025
"What on earth was that Humphries tops tops," added a third.
A fourth fan commented: "Love Luke Humphries, but going for double double top with three darts in his hands was crazy."
A victory would have seen him overtake Luke Littler at the top of the table.
'Cool Hand Luke' had gone into the quarter-final knowing he needed to better Littler's result to claim the top spot.
Instead, the world number one's questionable tactics cost him the chance to advance in week seven of the competition.
