Wonderful Wade crowned UK Open Champion!

Team Unicorn star James Wade landed his third Ladbrokes UK Open title in Milton Keynes on Sunday, defeating Luke Humphries 11-5 in the final.

Now a winner of ten televised ranking titles, Wade expanded his impressive trophy haul with a first UK Open crown since 2011 thanks to a weekend of consistent performances at the Marshall Arena.

Almost 13 years on from his first UK Open title, Wade's success sees him join Phil Taylor in winning televised PDC titles across three decades.

In addition, the £100,000 winner's prize sees him move up to fourth in the PDC Order of Merit, overtaking Rob Cross as the highest-ranked Englishman.

His first TV success since November 2018 was secured with a typically clinical display in the final against Humphries, who knocked out reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in the semis with a brilliant display but was unable to repeat the feat in the decider.

Experience won the day as Wade - who averaged 102.52 and was on target with 41% of his checkout attempts - made the former World Youth Champion pay for 20 missed doubles.

"To win TV titles across three decades is something I'm very proud of," said Wade. "I'm enjoying it again, I think I've reinvented myself.

"I'm very happy to be in the world of darts, it's a great place to be when you're winning.

"I'm here to provide stability for my son and winning these allows me to do that.

"Luke is quality, he's a gentleman and he showed his quality in the way he dismantled Michael [van Gerwen] in the semi-finals."

In reaching the final Wade was at his unflappable best in defeating world number one Gerwyn Price 11-6 in the semi-finals, having produced a 10-8 comeback win over Simon Whitlock in the afternoon's quarter-finals.

Wade's route to the title began with a scare from Ryan Joyce in round four as he came through a last-leg decider, before defeating Cross and Germany's Gabriel Clemens in rounds five and six on Saturday.

Final
James Wade 11-5 Luke Humphries