Luke Humphries ‘exhibits no mercy’ and whitewashes Paul Lim, 71, in World Darts Championship

Luke Humphries was in no mood to hang around on Monday evening, as he whitewashed Paul Lim in front of a silenced crowd.

Cool Hand, 30, credited his loss to Lim, 71, as the moment that sparked his rapid rise to World Darts Champion in 2024. However, Lim wasn’t able to lay a glove on the star – despite an opening 180 and a crowd right behind him.

Instead, Cool Hand effortlessly brushed the Singapore Slinger aside 3-0, while only dropping one leg. “Luke Humphries dominating the first set. A couple of looks at things for Paul Lim but fleeting ones,” Dan Dawson said after his first leg win.

“A strong start from Humphries.” And he would not let up – only getting better and better.

“This is a ruthless display so far. We saw Gian van Veen put on a big performance earlier. Humphries is looking really good here…Paul Lim may be eternal in darting terms, but his campaign here at the Alexandra Palace may not have very long left.”

Lim had stunned fans by breaking his own record to become the oldest man to win on the Ally Pally stage in round one – but he was up against a darting force in the second.

“Humphries is looking strong here, hope he can go all the way,” one fan posted on social media.

“This scoring from Humphries is a joke Lim hasn’t had a chance. Elder abuse,” a second said.

While a third shared: “Humphries is scary when he’s in full swing like this.. Only man on the tour that can stop Littler!”

And another added: “Humphries could at least give Lim a few charity legs. The man is 71 ffs…”

Lim was finally able to secure a leg, after being 8-0 down overall, taking out tops to delay Humphries’ inevitable win.

And it would be in the next set that Cool Hand moved into the third round against Gabriel Clemens.