Luke Humphries hit a sensational nine-dart finish during his Premier League clash with Rob Cross in Brighton on Thursday night but it was not enough to claim victory.
The world No. 1 pinned the sport's perfect leg to send the crowd at the Brighton Centre into a frenzy.
It was Humphries' first nine-darter in the Premier League format, marking another personal milestone for the modern-era great.
The achievement makes him the 17th player to hit a nine-darter in the competition's history since its inception.
Luke Humphries was beaten by Rob Cross despite the nine-darter
PA
'Cool Hand' joined an elite club with his perfect leg, following in the footsteps of Luke Littler who achieved the feat against Humphries in last year's final.
The world champion started the perfect leg with two maximum 180s.
He then completed the feat with treble 20, treble 19 and double 12 to achieve darts' holy grail.
Humphries celebrated wildly, running to the side of the stage with his arms aloft as drinks were thrown up in jubilation around the venue.
He then pumped his fist and saluted the crowd, who erupted in delirium.
Upon returning to the oche, Humphries shared a warm embrace with opponent Rob Cross.
Cross sportingly applauded the moment of perfection from his rival.
Luke Humphries ended up losing 6-4 to Rob Cross
PA
The nine-darter came in the second leg of their quarter-final contest.
Despite the perfect leg, Humphries ultimately succumbed to a stunning 6-4 defeat against Cross.
The nine-dart finish wasn't enough to carry the world number one to victory on night five of the Premier League.
NINE-DARTER FROM HUMPHRIES!!!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2025
LUKE HUMPHRIES STRIKES PERFECT IN BRIGHTON!!! INCREDIBLE SCENES!!!
📺 https://t.co/CxOorrFXK9 #PLDarts25 pic.twitter.com/dJB92w23jj
Humphries had been looking to extend his lead at the top of the table in Brighton.
He entered the match hoping to once again progress beyond the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old has previously spoken about his desire to pin the perfect leg on a big TV stage after experiencing a dry spell.
While he achieved that ambition in spectacular fashion, Cross proved too strong on the night to deny Humphries a place in the semi-finals.
