Reigning World Grand Prix champion Luke Humphries pulled out a stunning comeback to beat Stephen Bunting 2-1 in a thrilling first round.
Humphries stormed to victory last year at the Leicester competition on his way to an incredible year where he also won the World Championship and the Grand Slam.
But the 29-year-old needed to call upon all of his talent to make it through after a top-name first-round draw saw Cool Hand Luke partnered up with Bunting.
It was a repeat of the Players Championship 24 final just days before when Humphries beat Bunting in a thrilling 8-7 result on October 3.
Luke Humphries claimed an incredible comeback victory
Sky Sports
But the Bullet bit back on Tuesday night with a fine performance to take the first set without giving his opponent a chance to win a single leg.
Bunting raced into the lead to shellshock Humphries, hitting eight 100-plus scores and missing just one double as his opponent missed all of his.
But Humphries managed to regroup after the second set when 2-2 – with his first 180 of the match coming at the perfect time as he levelled the match with Bunting missing his chance to finish him off.
And he took the lead in the match for the first time after taking the first leg in the third set to give the Leicester crowd an incredible performance.
If Bunting cleaned up the first set and Humphries clinched the second, the third was over in a flash.
Suddenly, the nerves appeared for Bunting in the final leg – who needed seven darts before hitting a double to get started – a unique rule to the Grand Prix.
Stephen Bunting was left stunned by Luke Humphries
Sky Sports
It gave Humphries the chance to steal ahead as he needed one leg to claim victory, looking back to his composed and cool self.
And the champion reminded everyone why he is the best in the world, taking the win in a remarkable comeback victory.
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“One of the greatest comebacks in the history of the World Grand Prix” 🔝
😓 Luke Humphries survives a Bullet! pic.twitter.com/i719R9Pv5k
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) October 7, 2024
Speaking on Sky Sports, the commentator compared Humphries to Tyson Fury when he picked himself up off the canvas against Deontay Wilder in his legendary trilogy bout in the 11th round.
The Bronze Bomber thought he had claimed another KO victory over for the Gypsy King to almost rise from the dead and go on to land the win.