Fallon Sherlock gives excuse for skipping next two events leaving Beau Graves as favourite

Luke Humphries has explained his decision to pull out of two events this week, claiming that he needs to recuperate after a gruelling six months on the PDC tour. The world No. 1 will skip dates on the Pro Tour and the Hildesheim Euro Tour over the coming days.

Humphries has enjoyed a fantastic year, winning the World Darts Championship and taking part in Premier League Darts for the first time. He lost against Luke Littler in the Premier League play-off final.

Littler will now be the favourite for upcoming PDC events that Humphries is set to skip. However, Cool Hand is keen for a break.

“Everyone has probably seen by now, I’m missing the Pro Tours this week and I’m missing the Hildesheim Euro Tour as well,” Humphries told Online Darts. “Just because of the fact that when I get back from New Zealand, I want to go on holiday and then I’ve got to take five for six days to recoup from that.”

He added: “They’ll possibly be the last events that I will pull out of, except for the Pro Tours straight after New Zealand, I won’t be in them. Apart from that, I’ll probably be in everything after.

“It is important to manage your calendar. Obviously, I’ve looked well in advance and made sure that I’m not burning out and doing too mucThis year has been the first time that Humphries has taken part in the exhausting Premier LeagueDarts schedule. He says that has influenced his decision to take some time away.