In a moment that will echo through the corridors of darts history, Beau Greaves became the first woman ever to win a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking title, defeating world number one Michael Smith 8-7 in a thrilling final at the Players Championship 11 in Milton Keynes. The 22-year-old from Doncaster produced a performance of staggering composure, capped by a 142 checkout in the deciding leg to seal her landmark victory.
Key Takeaways
- Historic first: Beau Greaves is the first woman to win a PDC ranking event, breaking a long-standing barrier in professional darts.
- Giant-killing run: Greaves defeated three former world champions in her last three matches: Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, and Michael Smith.
- Record-breaking finish: Her 170 checkout (The Big Fish) in the final is the highest possible finish in darts, and she followed it with a 142 to win the match.
- Emotional reaction: Greaves admitted she “never thought” she would win a PDC title, calling the achievement “unbelievable.”
Infographic: Greaves' Path to Glory
Quarter-Final: Beat Rob Cross (6-5)
Semi-Final: Beat Gary Anderson (7-1)
Final: Beat Michael Smith (8-7)
Key Checkouts: 170 (The Big Fish), 142 (match-winning)
Greaves’ route to the title was anything but easy. After navigating the early rounds, she faced 2018 world champion Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, edging him 6-5. In the semi-finals, she demolished two-time world champion Gary Anderson 7-1, a result made even more remarkable by Anderson having hit a nine-dart finish earlier in the day. Then, in the final, she traded blows with 2023 world champion Michael Smith, who had averaged over 100 in his semi-final win over Kevin Doets.
The deciding leg was a microcosm of Greaves’ resilience. With Smith waiting on a double, Greaves stepped up and dispatched a 142 checkout—treble 20, treble 14, double 20—to spark scenes of jubilation. Earlier in the match, she had landed the iconic 170 checkout (The Big Fish) to take a 6-3 lead, a moment that visibly shook her opponent.
“I never thought I’d win one of these. Never, ever,” an emotional Greaves said afterward, as reported by the Sky Sports coverage. “I’m so happy. I can’t even describe the way I feel. It’s unbelievable and I feel so proud of myself. I never thought that I’d come in here today and win this. I know I’ve got the ability to do so, and I know I’ve got the talent for it, but to play the players I’m playing... I beat Gary Anderson—I couldn’t believe it!”
Greaves, already a three-time WDF women’s world champion, described this victory as her “best ever achievement,” surpassing even her Lakeside success. She now sets her sights on television events, with many tipping her to become a regular fixture in the Premier League and major TV tournaments.
The result sends shockwaves through the darts world. Greaves’ triumph is not just a personal milestone but a seismic shift for women’s darts, proving that the gender gap in the sport can be bridged. For context, the previous best performance by a woman in a PDC ranking event was by Fallon Sherrock, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 UK Open. Greaves has now set a new benchmark.
As the darts calendar moves toward the summer majors, all eyes will be on the 22-year-old from Doncaster. If this week is any indication, Beau Greaves is just getting started.