Prague has just witnessed a seismic shift in the world of darts! In a truly historic moment, Beau Greaves became the first woman ever to win a match on the PDC European Tour, defeating former major champion Daryl Gurney. This groundbreaking victory, a testament to her rapid rise, sets the stage for a thrilling clash against defending champion Luke Humphries. But Greaves wasn’t the only story; the opening night also saw stunning upsets as former world champion Rob Cross and Dirk van Duijvenbode made early exits, while Luke Woodhouse delivered a session-best performance. Get ready for an electrifying weekend as the darting elite join the action!
A Historic Triumph: Beau Greaves Rewrites the Darts History Books
The 2026 Czech Darts Open kicked off with an unforgettable evening in Prague, delivering one of the most significant results in recent darts history. Beau Greaves, dubbed ‘The Archangel’, etched her name into the record books by becoming the first woman to secure a victory on the prestigious PDC European Tour.
In a captivating performance, Greaves showcased incredible composure and skill, fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat former Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney with a decisive 6-4 scoreline. Her impressive 93.54 average outshone Gurney’s 89.54, underlining her growing prowess on the big stage.
This landmark achievement in Prague is the latest in a series of firsts for the Doncaster star. Earlier this year, she became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title and also the first to hit a nine-darter on the Pro Tour. Her journey continues with a highly anticipated second-round encounter against two-time defending champion Luke Humphries, promising one of the weekend’s most exciting matchups.
Upsets and Stellar Performances Mark Opening Night
While Greaves’ historic win dominated the headlines, the opening evening session was packed with drama, including high averages and unexpected exits:
- Luke Woodhouse delivered the highest average of the session, a sparkling 104.30, in his confident 6-4 victory over Connor Scutt. ‘Woody’ now faces Stephen Bunting in the last 32.
- There were significant casualties as well, with former world champion Rob Cross sent packing after a 6-4 defeat to Keane Barry.
- Another top player, Dirk van Duijvenbode, also exited early, losing 6-2 to Mario Vandenbogaerde in a match that sets up a fascinating clash between Vandenbogaerde and Michael van Gerwen.
- Other notable results saw Krzysztof Ratajski (6-2 vs Adam Gawlas), Martin Schindler (6-4 vs Rob Owen), Damon Heta (6-4 vs Karel Sedláček), and Jeffrey de Graaf (6-3 vs Niels Zonneveld) all advance, setting up challenging ties against seeded opponents.
The Weekend Heats Up: Big Guns Join the Fray
The stage is now set for an electrifying Saturday as the tournament’s top seeds make their entrance. Fans can look forward to a host of blockbuster matches:
- Teenage sensation Luke Littler returns to European Tour action against Niko Springer.
- The much-anticipated Luke Humphries vs. Beau Greaves showdown.
- Michael van Gerwen takes on Mario Vandenbogaerde.
- Other darting giants like Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton, and Nathan Aspinall will all begin their campaigns.
With a substantial £35,000 first prize and crucial ranking points on the line, the real business of the Czech Darts Open is just beginning. Prague has already delivered a memorable night, promising more fireworks and unforgettable moments as the tournament unfolds.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
