World Matchplay Darts 2026 results: Luke Humphries suffers shock first-round loss to Cameron Menzies

World number two Luke Humphries has been excluded from the World Matchplay following a shock first-round defeat to Scotland’s Cameron Menzies.

The former world champion was penalized for his poor finish and eventually lost his first six legs to darts before resuming the shot.

Humphries threatened to make a dramatic comeback, winning four legs on the return to make it 8-7, but Menzies faltered on the ‘big fish’ to seal a stunning 10-7 win – 170 maximum checkout.

The result will be a huge disappointment for Humphries, who, after a slow start to the year, has shown signs of returning to his best form in the last few months by beating Luke Littler to win the US Darts Masters.

But it is a momentous victory for Menzies, who is ranked 27th in the world, and he says he will “go to his grave” as one of three unranked players in this year’s tournament.

The Scot will face 15th seed Ross Smith in the second round on Wednesday after the Englishman beat Dutchman Kevin Doets 10-6.

In a high-quality match, both players averaged over 100 and had over 50% success in doubles, but Smith struck when the breakthrough mattered most.

Gerwyn Price, meanwhile, survived a scare before beating Germany’s Martin Schindler 11-9.

The Welshman admitted it was “a game I probably should have lost” after falling behind 4-0 and 6-2.

Even after fighting back to take his first lead at 9-8, Price still had to work to finish the job before Schindler scored 121 to secure victory in Game 20 after the seventh series.

The second round will feature a clash between two former world champions, with Price facing Rob Cross following the Englishman’s comprehensive 10-3 win over 10th seed Danny Noppert of the Netherlands.