HUGE SHOCK! Humphries OUT after Big Fish finish from Menzies!

World Matchplay delivers instant drama as Menzies stuns Humphries

Cameron Menzies produced the most eye-catching upset of this year’s World Matchplay by eliminating defending champion Luke Humphries in the first round. The 26-year-old Scot, ranked 19th in the PDC Order of Merit, needed just three legs to send the world No 1 crashing out of the tournament at the Alexandra Palace. Humphries, who had arrived in London as the form player of the summer, was undone by Menzies’ clinical finishing and ice-cold composure on the oche.

How the match unfolded: three legs, one defining finish

Menzies began with a break of throw in the opening leg, then converted a crucial 140 checkout to move 2-0 ahead. Humphries, never one to panic, levelled the match with a composed 10-darter of his own, but the Scot responded immediately with a second break to reclaim the lead. From that point, Menzies did not look back. He sealed the win with a 121 checkout in the third leg, leaving Humphries needing a miracle that never arrived.

The defeat ends Humphries’ 2024 World Matchplay campaign before it had truly begun, while Menzies advances to face either Damon Heta or Raymond van Barneveld in the next round. For a player who has spent years grinding through the Pro Tour, this victory is more than a scalp—it is a statement of intent against the very top of the sport.

What this means for both players—and the tournament

For Humphries, the loss is a sharp reminder that the World Matchplay does not forgive complacency. Since his triumph in 2022, he has dominated the circuit, but the Alexandra Palace stage demands ruthlessness from the first throw. Menzies, meanwhile, has now beaten a world No 1 in a major event for the second time this year, following his victory over Michael van Gerwen at the UK Open. His ability to peak when it matters most marks him as a genuine threat to the established elite.

The shock result also throws the early stages of the tournament wide open. With top seeds tumbling early, the path to the final is suddenly less predictable. Menzies’ next opponent will arrive with the confidence of a player who has just ended a major champion’s run, while Humphries must regroup quickly if he is to rediscover the form that made him a two-time winner here.

Tactical takeaway: precision over power

Menzies’ approach was built on accuracy rather than aggression. He averaged 98.7 across the three legs, landing 60% of his doubles, while Humphries—usually so clinical under pressure—struggled to find the same consistency. The Scot’s checkout rate of 50% in the match contrasted sharply with Humphries’ 33%, a gap that proved decisive. In a format where every dart counts, Menzies’ refusal to deviate from his game plan exposed the champion’s vulnerabilities.

Looking ahead: who benefits from Humphries’ exit?

The biggest beneficiary may well be the tournament itself. A first-round upset injects unpredictability into a competition that often favours the familiar names. Menzies’ progression sets up a potential clash with Heta, whose explosive style could test the Scot’s newfound composure. Should he advance further, Menzies may force the bookmakers to reassess his odds for the title—currently hovering around 50-1.

For Humphries, the defeat is a setback but not necessarily a disaster. The World Matchplay has a history of early exits followed by redemption; Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor both lost in the first round before going on to win the tournament. Yet the manner of this loss—three legs, three chances missed—will linger. Menzies, meanwhile, has announced himself on the biggest stage. The question now is whether he can keep the momentum going.