In a momentous display of skill and precision, three-time World Champion Beau Greaves has etched her name into darts history. She achieved the sport’s ultimate perfect game – a nine-dart finish – becoming the first female player ever to do so in a PDC event. This groundbreaking accomplishment occurred during her thrilling victory at Players Championship 6 in Leicester, firmly establishing her as a true pioneer and a force to be reckoned with on the professional circuit.
The Perfect Game: A Darts Milestone
A nine-dart finish is darts’ equivalent of a perfect game in baseball or a 147 break in snooker. It means a player completes a leg (a single game) of 501 points using the fewest possible darts – exactly nine. It requires immense precision, usually hitting treble 20 three times, then treble 19 three times, and finishing on a double. It’s an incredibly rare and celebrated feat.
On a memorable afternoon in Leicester, Beau Greaves, already a celebrated three-time World Champion, delivered this spectacular performance. This wasn’t just any nine-darter; it was the first ever by a female player in a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event, marking a historic moment for the sport.
The perfection unfolded during her hard-fought 6-5 second-round victory against seasoned Austrian player Mensur Suljovic at the Mattioli Arena.
Beau’s Reaction: A Mix of Disbelief and Joy
“I couldn’t believe I’d hit it!” Greaves shared with the PDC after her historic throw. She described the pivotal moment: “I just about hit the treble 19 and then I was quite confident that the double 12 was going in.”
Beyond the professional significance, the achievement brought immense personal happiness. “I couldn’t stop smiling because I couldn’t wait to tell my dad, even though I knew he’d be watching it,” she confessed, highlighting the special bond and shared passion.
This wasn’t a sudden fluke. Beau revealed, “I’ve narrowly missed hitting one a few times so it was nice to finally hit one.” The satisfaction of achieving this long-sought goal was palpable. She also expressed her delight that such a monumental moment was captured live: “It’s nice to be the first woman to hit one on the PDC ProTour, I’m glad it was on the stream as well.”
Navigating the Aftermath and ProTour Life
Achieving such a high-pressure feat inevitably took its toll. “It was hard to get back into the game after I’d hit it, I was shaking afterwards,” Beau admitted. Despite the intense nerves, her resolve shone through: “It was nerve-wracking but I managed to get the win in the end.”
Greaves is currently navigating her journey on the PDC ProTour, competing against the world’s elite players. She acknowledges the challenges: “I’m enjoying my start to life on the PDC ProTour, I’ve been struggling in patches with a bit of tension in my throw, but I am playing well and enjoying it.”
Her perspective on losses reflects a mature understanding of the competitive circuit: “You’re playing the best players in the world so if you lose a game, it’s just a case of your opponent playing better than you on the day.” This mindset, combined with her incredible talent, positions Beau Greaves as a formidable and inspiring figure in the world of darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
