Beau Greaves beats 3 world champions in a row and makes darts history | Other | Sport

Beau Greaves etched her name into the history books by becoming the first woman to claim a PDC ranking title, defeating three former world champions in a row. Greaves, 22, produced a stunning run of form to secure Players Championship 11 in remarkable fashion.

The ProTour event proved to be a landmark moment for women’s darts in Milton Keynes. Greaves faced seven different opponents and beat them all, initially edging out Aden Kirk and Thomas Lovely 6-4. She then dispatched Jeffrey Sparidaans 6-2, before narrowly getting the better of Czech star Karel Sedlacek.

From that point, the stakes were raised considerably as she was drawn against 2018 world champion Rob Cross.

Greaves defeated Voltage in a dramatic deciding leg, before facing two-time Ally Pally king Gary Anderson in the final four. While many would have backed the Flying Scot to overcome ‘Beau and Arrow’, it was the 22-year-old who prevailed in commanding style.

She demolished Anderson 7-1, a year after he had beaten her in a dramatic final leg decider at the Grand Slam of Darts. Following her ruthless victory, she stood just one match away from making history.

The 2023 world champion and former world No. 1 Michael Smith stood between her and glory. In yet another deciding leg, it appeared Bully Boy was poised to clinch the title, after hitting 142 from 162 to leave a double ten finish.

Greaves was left on 142 and hammered in two treble 20s and landed double 11 to clinch the decider and make history as the first female winner of a PDC ranking title.

Smith could see the result coming. When Greaves hit her first treble, Bully Boy was rolling his eyes, almost in anticipation of the finish.

He then began putting his darts away when the second treble followed, even though Greaves still required double 11 to win.

And credit to him, Smith cheered when that double was found.

Greaves could not help but break down in tears as she broke new ground for female darts players.

Smith also showed his class by giving his opponent a pat on the back. After her victory was secured, Greaves said: “I’ve had a great year, but I never thought I’d win one of these. Never, ever.”