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| * Continental Masters (2022) | | * Continental Masters (2022) |
| * World Cup of Darts (2023) | | * World Cup of Darts (2023) |
| }}'''Max Mad''' (born 5 August 1996) is an American professional darts player who competes in [[Open Darts Federation]] (ODF) events. He is a two-time ODF World Champion, having won the title in 2018 and again in 2021—becoming the first player in ODF history to win the championship on debut and reclaim it three years later. As of 2034, he is ranked world number eight and is a four-time major winner, with additional titles at the [[2022 ODF Continental Masters]] and the [[2023 ODF World Cup of Darts]] alongside [[Elias Storm]]. Across all competitions, he has claimed 15 career titles. | | }}'''Max Mad''' (born 5 August 1996) is an American professional darts player who competes in [[International Darts Federation]] (IDF) events, where he is currently ranked world number one. Nicknamed "Mayhem", he is a former two-time IDF World Champion, having won the title in 2023 and again in 2024—becoming the first IDF World champion and to win the title back-to-back. Mad is the reigning [[2025 IDF World Matchplay|World Matchplay]] champion. |
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| Mad began his career in Texas amateur leagues before turning professional in 2018. That same year, he stunned the darts world by winning the [[ODF World Championship]] as an unseeded qualifier, defeating four top-ranked opponents and lifting the trophy in his first televised appearance. Following a period of inconsistency, he returned to the top in 2021 with a second world title, followed by his first non-World Championship major win at the Continental Masters in 2022 and a World Cup team victory the year after. | | Mad has won a total of |
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| Known for his chaotic rhythm, theatrical entrances, and emotionally charged playstyle, Mad remains one of the most popular and unpredictable figures on the ODF circuit. His fast-paced throw, momentum-driven bursts, and volatile finishing have made him both a crowd favorite and a constant threat to the sport’s elite. He has earned wins over nearly every top player of his generation, including Storm, [[Ethan Steel]], and [[Cal Derwent]].
| | '''Max Mad''' (born 5 August 1996) is an American professional darts player who competes in [[International Darts Federation]] (IDF) events. He is a As of 20 November 2025, Mad is the curr |
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| == Career ==
| | '''Luke Humphries''' (born 11 February 1995) is an English professional darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events, where he is currently ranked world number two; he was ranked world number one from 3 January 2024 to 16 November 2025. Nicknamed "'''Cool Hand Luke'''" in reference to the 1967 film, he is a former PDC world champion, having won the 2024 World Championship. He is the reigning Premier League, Players Championship Finals and World Masters champion. He also won the World Matchplay in 2024. |
| === Early career (2013–2020) ===
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| Mad began playing darts in amateur circuits throughout Texas, gaining attention for his unique style and trash-talking flair. He attempted Q-School multiple times before earning a full ODF Tour Card in 2018. During his early years, Mad struggled to maintain consistent results and often exited in the early rounds of floor events.
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| === 2018: World Champion on debut ===
| | Mad began his career in Texas amateur leagues before turning professional in 2018. |
| Max Mad’s entry into professional darts could not have been more dramatic. After earning a last-minute qualification through the 2017 ODF North American Play-In Series, Mad entered the [[2018 ODF World Championship]] as an unseeded debutant with no major tour experience. At 21 years old, his reputation was that of a local showman from Texas—entertaining but inconsistent. No one predicted what came next.
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| Mad stunned the darts world in the opening round, defeating veteran Dutchman [[Herman De Klein]] 3–1, averaging 95.8 and landing six 180s. He followed it up with a 4–0 demolition of World No. 10 [[Alberto Ferrera]], including a 167 checkout that set social media ablaze. By the time he reached the quarter-finals—having taken out [[Craig Ellison]] in a 5–3 thriller—commentators were beginning to wonder if the debutant was more than just a flash in the pan. | |
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| In the semi-finals, Mad produced one of the most iconic performances in ODF history, defeating then-reigning champion [[Logan White]] 6–5 in a deciding leg classic. After missing three match darts in leg 10, he rebounded with a 12-darter under pressure, hitting double 18 to reach the final. His fearless aggression and unpredictable pace had now become must-watch darts. The crowd, once skeptical, was now fully behind him.
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| The final saw Mad face off against [[Victor Linz]], a steady Austrian known for grinding matches into slow, clinical wars. But Mad never allowed the tempo to settle. He opened with back-to-back 180s and never looked back, eventually winning 7–4 with an average of 102.1 and three 100+ checkouts. The moment he hit double 16 to seal the match, Mad dropped to his knees in disbelief—becoming the youngest-ever ODF World Champion, and the first player in history to win the title on debut.
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| The win shocked analysts, broke betting lines, and instantly elevated Mad from cult personality to global darts icon. His nickname, “Mayhem,” was now literal. He ended the season ranked World No. 5, earned over $450,000 in prize money, and was awarded the 2018 ODF Breakout Star of the Year. While some still questioned whether the title was a one-off miracle, none could deny that Mad had arrived—and changed the landscape of professional darts forever.
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| === 2019: A year under pressure ===
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| Following his miraculous World Championship victory in 2018, Mad entered the 2019 season with a target on his back. Now ranked World No. 5 and holding a full Tour Card for the first time, expectations were sky-high. Pundits and fans alike questioned whether his debut title was lightning in a bottle or the start of a dominant era. For Mad, the year became less about winning and more about survival under scrutiny.
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| At the [[2019 ODF World Championship]], Mad returned as defending champion but failed to replicate his previous magic. He survived a five-set scare in the first round against [[Declan Mears]], narrowly winning 3–2, but was eliminated in the second round by unseeded Austrian qualifier [[Leonard Spitz]], who outscored him in a nervy 4–2 upset. Mad’s average of just 89.6 was his lowest on the televised stage, and critics immediately began questioning his focus and preparation.
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| The rest of the season proved turbulent. Mad failed to progress beyond the last 32 in any of the major televised events, including early exits at the Grand Slam, Grand Prix, and Continental Masters. While he remained a fan favorite due to his personality and walk-ons, his inconsistent results led to a slide in the rankings. By mid-year, he had dropped to World No. 14, and whispers of “one-hit wonder” began to follow him around the circuit.
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| Despite the struggles, Mad showed flashes of brilliance on the floor circuit. He reached two Players Tour quarter-finals and one semi-final in Phoenix, where he averaged over 100 in back-to-back matches for the first time since his title run. His performances were described as "chaotic but capable" by ODF analyst [[Shane Davenport]], who argued that Mad’s issue wasn’t talent—but rhythm and temperament.
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| By year’s end, Mad had retained his Tour Card but failed to qualify for the [[2020 ODF Premier League Darts]], a notable step backward after entering the season as reigning world champion. He finished the year ranked World No. 17—still a top-20 player, but a far cry from the heights of the previous season. For many, 2019 was a reality check: Max Mad was still dangerous, still exciting, but no longer invincible.
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| Privately, Mad acknowledged the pressure. In a post-season interview, he said, “I didn’t know how to carry a world title. I didn’t play like I had one. But I know who I am now. And I’m not done.” Those words would come to define the next stage of his career—a journey of redemption, reinvention, and reassertion on the world stage.
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| === 2020: Quiet rebuild in small events ===
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| After a punishing 2019 season that saw him exit early from all major tournaments and drop outside the world’s top 16, Max Mad approached 2020 with a humbler, more methodical mindset. With no Premier League invite and little pressure from media or sponsors, Mad used the year to reset his mechanics, focus on the floor circuit, and rebuild confidence through smaller-scale events and regional qualifiers.
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| He opted to skip the European swing entirely in the early part of the season, choosing instead to compete in the ODF Satellite Series across North America. In January and February, he won two non-ranked invitationals in Denver and Tulsa, defeating fringe tour players and former qualifiers with averages in the mid-90s. While not broadcast or heavily publicized, the results allowed Mad to return to winning ways without the chaos of televised pressure.
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| At the [[2020 Players Tour]], Mad began to show glimpses of resurgence. He reached the last 16 on three occasions and made a surprise semi-final run at Players Tour 7 in Miami, where he beat [[Fredrik Menzel]] and [[Craig Ellison]] before falling to [[Samuel Broadley]]. His average of 99.8 across the event was his best since 2018, and more importantly, he played without the reckless urgency that had defined his slump the year prior.
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| Mad also began working with a mental game coach and refined his pre-throw routine, slowing down his delivery and removing some of the theatrical pauses and crowd interactions that had derailed his rhythm. In interviews, he admitted that the 2018 version of himself “wasn’t built to last,” and that 2020 had become more about rediscovering why he played rather than trying to chase what he’d already won.
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| Despite the improvements, Mad did not qualify for the [[2020 Continental Masters]] or [[ODF Grand Prix]], and once again missed out on the [[ODF Premier League Darts]]. However, his year-end performances on the floor circuit were enough to climb back into the world’s top 16, finishing ranked World No. 15 and securing qualification for the upcoming 2021 World Championship.
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| While the season lacked headlines, 2020 proved to be a turning point in Mad’s evolution. No longer the sport’s chaos engine or the unpredictable underdog, Max Mad had started to lay the groundwork for something more sustainable. It wasn’t about fireworks anymore—it was about foundation. The madness had been refined, and in 2021, the circuit would find out just how dangerous that could be.
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| === 2021: Redemption and a second world title ===
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| Three years after shocking the world by winning the 2018 World Championship on debut, Max Mad entered the [[2021 ODF World Championship]] with something to prove. After two seasons of inconsistency and a full year spent grinding through floor events, Mad had quietly rebuilt his game. Ranked World No. 15 and considered a dark horse at best, many viewed his 2018 title as an unrepeatable anomaly. Mad had other plans.
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| Drawn against veteran [[Sebastian Langley]] in the first round, Mad set the tone early with a 3–0 win and a 101.2 average—his highest since his debut run. He followed it with a 4–2 victory over [[Tomasz Jurek]], surviving a late comeback attempt. By the third round, Mad looked locked in, dismantling World No. 4 [[Victor Linz]] 4–1 with relentless scoring and a 130 checkout to finish the match. Suddenly, the crowd was behind him again, and whispers of another deep run began to circulate.
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| In the quarter-finals, he faced [[Samuel Broadley]] in what turned out to be one of the best matches of the tournament. The two traded sets in a high-scoring slugfest, but Mad's checkout accuracy proved decisive as he edged the match 5–4 with a 121 finish in the final leg. In the semi-finals, Mad squared off against rising phenom [[Ethan Steel]] in their first televised meeting. Steel came in as the favorite, but Mad produced a throwback performance—averaging 104.3 and hitting seven 180s to win 6–3.
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| The final pitted Mad against former champion [[Logan White]], a rivalry dating back to Mad’s debut title run. The match was tense and tactical, with both players averaging over 100 through the first seven sets. Tied 3–3, Mad surged with a run of 12, 13, and 14-dart legs to take control. He sealed the title 7–4 with a 98 checkout on double 19, collapsing to the stage floor in a mix of joy and relief. With the win, he became a two-time World Champion—silencing critics and solidifying his place in darts history.
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| The victory marked the full-circle moment in Mad’s career. No longer a fluke or a fan-favorite novelty, he had proven his longevity and resilience. His 2021 campaign was not only a technical masterclass, but also a psychological triumph. Mad finished the season ranked World No. 3 and was named ODF’s Comeback Player of the Year. After years of volatility, the mayhem had become mature—and Max Mad was once again on top of the world.
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| === 2022: Back-to-back denied, but a new major claimed ===
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| After reclaiming the World Championship title in 2021, Max Mad entered 2022 as one of the sport’s biggest names and most popular players. Ranked World No. 3 and coming off a career-defining comeback season, Mad was considered a serious threat to become the first player since Logan White to win back-to-back world titles. With confidence restored and a more disciplined game behind the chaos, he approached the year with a measured hunger.
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| At the [[2022 ODF World Championship]], Mad advanced through the early rounds with ease. He defeated [[George Renley]] 3–1 and [[Jeroen Klausen]] 4–2, then overcame a mid-match scare against [[Ricco van Haalen]] in the third round, coming back from 0–2 down to win 4–3 in a match lauded for its emotional intensity. In the quarter-finals, he produced one of his finest televised performances, averaging 104.6 in a 5–1 demolition of [[Samuel Broadley]].
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| The semi-final, however, saw the back-to-back dream end. Mad faced [[Logan White]] in a tense rematch of their 2021 final. Both players threw at a high level, but Mad’s double trouble in key legs proved costly. He missed five set darts across sets three and five, allowing White to take control and close out the match 6–4. Despite the loss, Mad’s sportsmanship and high average (102.3) earned him praise, and many felt his level was still that of a reigning champion.
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| Just two months later, Mad responded with a title-winning run at the [[2022 ODF Continental Masters]]—his first career victory in the event. En route to the trophy, he defeated [[Victor Linz]], [[Fredrik Menzel]], and [[Ethan Steel]], before edging [[Cal Derwent]] 10–8 in a dramatic final. The win marked his third major title overall and helped cement his status as more than just a World Championship specialist.
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| While his Premier League campaign that year was erratic—he finished 5th and missed the playoffs—Mad’s overall season was seen as a success. He also reached one floor final and made three more televised quarter-finals, finishing the season ranked World No. 4. His checkout percentage and 180 rate remained in the top five across all tour players.
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| === 2023: A new team title, and a quarter-final clash with Storm ===
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| Coming off a strong 2022 season that saw him claim the Continental Masters, Max Mad entered 2023 as a serious contender for a third world title. Ranked World No. 4 and in strong floor form, many analysts placed him in the second tier of favorites behind names like [[Ethan Steel]] and [[Elias Storm]]. While Mad did not reclaim the championship, his performance further established him as one of the sport’s most reliable big-stage threats.
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| At the [[2023 ODF World Championship]], Mad advanced confidently through the early rounds. He defeated [[Marco Petrov]] 3–0 in the first round and outlasted [[Leonard Spitz]] 4–2 in the second, hitting eleven 180s across the match. In the third round, he overcame [[Fredrik Menzel]] 4–3 in a scrappy battle that saw both players average in the low 90s but deliver in clutch moments. With that win, Mad reached his third career World Championship quarter-final.
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| There, he met reigning form player [[Elias Storm]] in what became one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. The match started evenly, with Mad holding throw through the first two sets, but Storm's relentless accuracy and finishing soon pulled him ahead. Mad had opportunities to level the match at 3–3 but missed key doubles, ultimately losing 4–3. Despite the defeat, he posted a solid average of 97.5 and was praised for pushing Storm harder than anyone else prior to the final.
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| While the loss ended his singles title hopes for the season, Mad found redemption in the summer at the [[2023 ODF World Cup of Darts]]. Representing the United States alongside Storm, the duo breezed through the group stage and defeated Germany and the Netherlands en route to the final. Facing England’s pairing of [[Logan White]] and [[Cal Derwent]], Mad delivered a crucial 112 checkout in the deciding doubles leg, sealing a dramatic 3–2 win and securing his fourth major title.
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| The World Cup victory marked Mad’s first team title and was widely seen as evidence of his evolution as a complete player—not just a showman, but a closer in high-pressure situations. Later in the year, he reached the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam and the last 16 at the Grand Prix, keeping his major form consistent across the calendar. Though he didn't lift a solo title in 2023, his resume and ranking continued to hold firm.
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| By year’s end, Mad was ranked World No. 5 and had solidified himself as one of the most rounded and dangerous players on tour. With four majors now under his belt, including both individual and team honors, the chaos had become calculated—and Mad was no longer chasing redemption. He was part of the sport’s elite, and 2023 proved he could stay there.
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| == Playing style and persona == | | == Playing style and persona == |
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| == Major achievements == | | == Major achievements == |
| * '''ODF Continental Masters''' | | * '''IDF World Championship''' |
| ** Winner (1): 2022
| | ** Winner (2): 2023, 2024 |
| * '''ODF World Cup of Darts'''
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| ** Winner (1): 2023 (with Elias Storm) | |
| * '''ODF Premier League Darts'''
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| ** Finalist (1): 2024
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| * '''ODF World Championship'''
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| ** Semi-finalist (1): 2023
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| == Performance timeline == | | == Performance timeline == |
| {{ODF Performance Timeline
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| |WC2021=2R
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| |WC2022=3R
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| |WC2023=SF
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| |WC2024=QF
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| |WC2025=3R
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| |WC2026=QF
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| |WC2027=2R
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| |WC2028=QF
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| |WC2029=3R
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| |WC2030=QF
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| |WC2031=QF
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| |WC2032=3R
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| |WC2033=QF
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| |PL2024=2nd
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| |CM2022=1st
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| |WCOD2023=1st
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| }}
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| == See also == | | == See also == |
| * [[Elias Storm]]
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| * [[Ethan Steel]]
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| * [[Logan White]] | | * [[Logan White]] |
| * [[ODF World Championship]] | | * [[ODF World Championship|IDF World Championship]] |
| * [[ODF Premier League Darts]] | | * [[ODF Premier League Darts|IDF Premier League Darts]] |
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| == References == | | == References == |
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| == External links == | | == External links == |
| * [https://odf.darts/maxmad Official ODF profile – Max Mad] | | * [https://odf.darts/maxmad Official IDF profile – Max Mad] |
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| [[Category:American darts players]] | | [[Category:American darts players]] |
