Beau Greaves, the undisputed queen of women’s darts, kicked off the 2026 Women’s Series season in spectacular fashion, securing two dominant victories on Saturday. Extending her incredible unbeaten run since April last year, Greaves defeated rival Lisa Ashton in both finals in Hildesheim, showcasing breathtaking skill and unwavering consistency. German darting talent Silvia Lindner also impressed, reaching a quarter-final, highlighting a strong start for the home players.
A Masterclass in Dominance: Greaves’ Unbroken Streak Continues
The 2026 PDC Women’s Series opener in Hildesheim, Germany, saw Beau Greaves continue her relentless march of dominance. Despite a relatively smaller field of 100 participants – with many players opting for the concurrent Dutch Open – Greaves, aged 22, proved once again why she is the player to beat.
Tournament 1: A Breathtaking Display
In the first tournament of the year, Greaves’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. She conceded a mere six legs throughout the entire event, securing what was her **47th Women’s Series title**. Her path to victory included strong wins against Maria Cecylia Zora (4:0), Rhian Sullivan (4:1), Bianca Michalczyk (4:0), and Kirsi Viinikainen (4:1).
- Quarter-Final Challenge: Greaves, known as ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’, faced a tough opponent in Fallon Sherrock, but ultimately triumphed 5:2 after an even start.
- Semi-Final Sweep: She then delivered a flawless performance, whitewashing Robyn Byrne.
- Final Showdown: The final was a classic encounter against her formidable rival, Lisa Ashton. Greaves left no room for doubt, sealing a 5:2 victory with an impressive **98 average**. A pivotal moment came with a **161 checkout (a 12-darter)**, breaking Ashton’s throw to go 3:1 up while Ashton waited on 24. Greaves closed out the match with two 14-darters on her own throw, a truly deserved win. Ashton, a multiple major winner herself, continues her wait for a 19th title.
Elsewhere, Steph Clarke reached her fourth semi-final of the series, demonstrating consistent form.
Tournament 2: Unstoppable Force
Greaves carried her momentum directly into the second event, again dropping only six legs on her way to victory. She delivered whitewash wins against Hannah Meek, Milou Emriksdotter, and Joanne Oldershaw, with only Ella Coburn managing to take a leg from her.
- Quarter-Final Test: A brief challenge came from Jade Gofford, but Greaves maintained control to win 5:3.
- Semi-Final Brilliance: She then produced her best performance of the tournament against World Championship participant Gemma Hayter, winning 5:2.
- Final Replay: The final was another face-off against Lisa Ashton, but this time it was a **decisive 5:0 victory** for Greaves. Ashton struggled to find her rhythm and missed crucial double opportunities, allowing Greaves to complete a dominant sweep of the day’s events.
This double triumph further cements Greaves’ position as an **unbeaten force on the Women’s Series since April of last year**, providing a significant boost of confidence ahead of the upcoming Pro Tour.
German Talent Shines: Silvia Lindner Leads the Way
With 37 German players participating on home soil in Hildesheim, local talent had a chance to shine. **Silvia Lindner** was the standout performer, achieving the best German result of the day.
- Tournament 1 Success: Lindner reached the **quarter-finals**, defeating Aurora Fochesato in the Last 16 before falling 2:5 to Steph Clarke. Her consistent play in recent years, often reaching prize-money positions, was evident.
- Prize Money Earners: Other German players who secured prize money (over £200) in the first event included Anna Parker, Chiaralea Czapla, Sara Schliemann, and Bianca Michalczyk.
- Tournament 2 Consistency: Lindner continued her strong form in the second event, again finishing in the **Top 32** with consistent averages over 60. Diana Dörflinger and Tanja Stadelmann also made it into the Top 32, showcasing the growing strength of German women’s darts.
The Stakes and Structure: What Players Are Competing For
The PDC Women’s Series offers substantial prize money, attracting top talent from around the globe. Here’s a breakdown of the prize structure and match formats for each event:
Prize Money Per Event:
- Winner: £2,500
- Runner-Up: £1,000
- Semi-finalists: £750
- Quarter-finalists: £500
- Last 16: £300
- Last 32: £200
- Last 64: £75 (if at least 128 players participate)
Each event boasts a total prize fund of £15,000.
Match Formats:
- Matches up to and including the Last 16: Best of 7 Legs
- Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final: Best of 9 Legs
What’s Next?
The action at the PDC Women’s Series 2026 continues in Hildesheim with two more tournaments scheduled for tomorrow, promising more thrilling darts and intense competition as players battle for ranking points and prize money.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
