Cameron Menzies pulled off a stunning upset on Monday night at the World Matchplay, edging out the 2024 champion Luke Humphries 10-7 in a match that will be remembered for its dramatic swings and high‑scoring finishes. The world‑number‑two, Humphries, entered the Empress Ballroom as the clear favourite, but the Scottish player proved why he is regarded as one of the most entertaining and unpredictable talents on the circuit.
From the first throw, Menzies signalled his intent. He opened with a flawless double‑double 129 finish that gave him a 3-2 lead.
Humphries, however, responded with a series of six consecutive breaks of throw, highlighted by a dazzling 167 checkout that levelled the scores just after the first interval. The back‑and‑forth continued, and Menzies soon unleashed a blistering four‑leg run that pushed the scoreboard to 7-3 in his favour. Humphries was not ready to concede.
He clawed back, taking five of the next six legs and narrowing the gap, but Menzies kept his composure. The pivotal moment arrived when the Scot produced a perfect 170 checkout – the highest possible finish in darts – to seal the match and book a second‑round encounter with Ross Smith. The crowd at the Winter Gardens erupted as the 170 lit up the arena, underscoring the magnitude of the achievement. After the match, a elated Menzies reflected on his performance: "No one gave me hope.
I didn't give myself hope, but finally I won a game at the Winter Gardens. It feels amazing." He praised Humphries, calling him "a great guy and a great player," and admitted that nerves had crept in at 7-3, especially when he was faced with a demanding finishing line. "I show a lot of emotion and I hate that I do that. I'm trying to keep myself intact, stay composed, because I knew he would have a spell and batter me.
He did have a spell, but I was lucky enough to keep the lead," Menzies explained. Wayne Mardle, speaking to Sky Sports, highlighted the significance of the win: "It's his best ever win, and he mentioned that. With Cameron Menzies, everyone mentions his emotions, but it's the way he had to win that game.
Nothing went according to plan. He was broken back early twice – that’s up‑and‑down emotions – the high of breaking to being broken back.
Then he went on a run, got pegged back, and there was a lot happening in that game, but he held it all together beautifully. Humphries had an amazing spell of four legs, but then Menzies found a level again, and that's something we don't see enough. What he should take away from tonight is the way he handled the situation. It was like he had been there a million times before.
He knows he can handle anything now." The evening also featured other notable matches. Ross Smith survived a tense battle against debutant Kevin Doets, whose impressive 104.19 average and a 160 checkout kept the contest tight. Smith ultimately prevailed with a match‑winning 120 finish, aided by a spectacular 161 checkout that was saved by the tournament’s Hawkeye system. After taking an early 5-0 lead, Smith steadied his nerves during a mid‑session scramble and closed the match with a flawless 120 Shanghai finish.
Former World Matchplay finalist Gerwyn Price faced a serious scare against Germany’s top‑ranked Martin Schindler. After falling behind 4-0 and later 6-2, Price mounted a remarkable comeback, exploiting Schindler’s errors on the outer ring to clinch an 11-9 victory. "It doesn't usually happen.
Without the crowd, I would have lost today," Price admitted, describing the performance as the worst of his season. He added, "It goes to show, throwing sheep about instead of darts about, it doesn't help! It was a tough one for me.
I've got no confidence at the minute because I haven't played a lot. To battle through it. Martin was just as rubbish as me, thankfully. That was one I should have lost, but I've won and I'm still in the tournament – I can't be any worse!" Price’s next challenge will be against Rob Cross after "Voltage" opened his campaign with a convincing 10-3 win over Danny Noppert, posting a 97.41 average, a 128 checkout, and a striking 52.6 % success rate on doubles.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18‑26, featuring a 32‑player field competing for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. Highlights include two‑time world champion Luke Littler taking on Nathan Aspinall after a commanding 10-6 opening‑day victory over Niko Springer, and Stephen Bunting edging past Dutch debutant Niels Zonneveld 13-12 after surviving three match darts. Three‑time World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen will meet fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, while 2018 champion Gary Anderson faces 2023 runner‑up Jonny Clayton, having recently recorded the eighth‑highest average in Matchplay history with a 109.96 display in his 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream the darts and other top‑level sport via NOW.
The tournament promises more upsets, high‑checkouts, and dramatic comebacks as the world’s best gather in Blackpool to chase the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.