Beau Greaves has once again proven her undeniable dominance in the world of darts, securing an unprecedented third consecutive PDC Women’s World Matchplay title in Blackpool. The young sensation, known as “Beau ‘N Arrow,” delivered a series of high-class performances, culminating in a dramatic deciding-leg victory over rival Fallon Sherrock in a nail-biting final. This historic win solidifies her status as a true powerhouse in women’s darts, leaving Lisa Ashton and Gemma Hayter in her wake in the semi-finals.
A Hat-Trick of Dominance: Beau Greaves Conquers Blackpool
The PDC Women’s World Matchplay, held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, saw top seed Beau Greaves enter the tournament as the overwhelming favourite, a title she emphatically lived up to. Her journey to a third consecutive championship was marked by consistent brilliance and a remarkable ability to perform under pressure.
The Road to the Final: Knockout Stages
Greaves kicked off her campaign with a statement of intent, opening the tournament herself. She dispatched Kirsi Viinikainen with a commanding 5-1 victory, boasting an impressive 92-point average. Early finishes of 148 and 144 points showcased her formidable scoring and finishing prowess, setting the tone for the entire competition.
Quarter-Final Highlights:
- Beau Greaves (91.91 average) dominated Kirsi Viinikainen (78.10) with a 5-1 win.
- Gemma Hayter triumphed over Vicky Pruim in a hard-fought 5-4 deciding leg match. Hayter’s crucial 107 checkout and an 18-darter in the final leg secured her semi-final spot.
- Lisa Ashton, “The Lancashire Rose,” overcame Rhian O’Sullivan 5-2. Ashton capitalized on O’Sullivan’s missed opportunities, sealing her victory with a superb 120 finish.
- Fallon Sherrock, “The Queen of the Palace,” delivered a ruthless performance, whitewashing Deta Hedman with a 5-0 victory, including two impressive 13-darters.
Intense Semi-Final Showdowns
The semi-finals brought fierce competition, testing the mettle of all contenders.
- Semi-Final 1: Beau Greaves vs. Gemma Hayter
This match was a true battle, going all the way to a deciding leg. Greaves, despite missing a few doubles, eventually pulled ahead. Hayter fought back, checking out 83 to force the decider. However, Greaves ultimately secured the win with a clinical 104 checkout, just as Hayter waited on 85 for her own potential victory. Greaves won 5-4. - Semi-Final 2: Fallon Sherrock vs. Lisa Ashton
Fallon Sherrock, the 2022 champion, demonstrated her class with a strong 90-point average. She quickly built a significant lead against Lisa Ashton, securing a comfortable 5-1 win and booking her place in the final.
The Grand Final: Greaves vs. Sherrock
The stage was set for a blockbuster final between two of women’s darts’ biggest stars: Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock. True to form, the match was a thrilling spectacle that went down to the wire.
After an initial exchange of holds, Sherrock secured the first break with an 87-point finish. But Greaves, the sole PDC Tour Card holder in the match, immediately responded with a spectacular Shanghai finish (a 120 checkout hitting treble 20, single 20, double 20) and a swift 12-darter to swing the momentum. Greaves then punished Sherrock’s missed doubles to take a commanding 5-3 lead.
However, Sherrock was not to be defeated easily. She dug deep, hitting an 11-darter and then checking out 70 points to force a dramatic deciding leg. With the pressure at its peak and the title on the line, Greaves held her nerve. On her own throw, she delivered a decisive 15-darter to clinch the match 6-5 and secure her third consecutive Women’s World Matchplay title.
Tournament Results Overview
Quarterfinals:
- Beau Greaves 5-1 Kirsi Viinikainen (Avg: 91.91 – 78.10)
- Gemma Hayter 5-4 Vicky Pruim (Avg: 79.01 – 72.22)
- Lisa Ashton 5-2 Rhian O’Sullivan (Avg: 81.07 – 75.52)
- Fallon Sherrock 5-0 Deta Hedman (Avg: 85.40 – 67.04)
Semifinals:
- Beau Greaves 5-4 Gemma Hayter (Avg: 86.74 – 80.44)
- Lisa Ashton 1-5 Fallon Sherrock (Avg: 79.41 – 90.55)
Final:
- Beau Greaves 6-5 Fallon Sherrock (Avg: 88.63 – 87.84)
Prize Money and Future Opportunities
The PDC Women’s World Matchplay offers significant rewards, reflecting the growing prestige of women’s darts:
- Winner (Beau Greaves): £15,000, a coveted spot in the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts, and a place in the 2027 PDC World Championship.
- Runner-Up (Fallon Sherrock): £8,000
- Semi-Finalists: £4,500 each
- Quarter-Finalists: £2,000 each
The total prize fund for the tournament was an impressive £40,000.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
