Beau Greaves has long been a dominant force in women’s darts, and she has now etched her name into the record books on the PDC Pro Tour with what she describes as three of "the best darts I have ever thrown." The 22‑year‑old from Doncaster made history on Monday by becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking title, edging out Michael Smith 8‑7 in the final of Players Championship 11. Greaves’ run in Milton Keynes was nothing short of spectacular. She won seven consecutive matches, culminating in a nerve‑wracking deciding‑leg finish that saw her hit a 142 checkout against the crowd‑pleasing Michael "Bully Boy" Smith. That decisive checkout secured a landmark victory that will be remembered for years to come in the sport’s history.

The Doncaster native, a two‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion, faced a gauntlet of former world champions on her way to the trophy. In the latter stages of the tournament she dispatched Rob Cross, Gary Anderson and finally Michael Smith, each a former world champion, in three successive matches. Overcoming such elite competition only added to the significance of her achievement.

When asked to reflect on the moment, Greaves admitted that the reality of what she had accomplished was still sinking in. She highlighted the final dart sequence – a triple 20, another triple 20 followed by a double 11 – as the three most extraordinary darts of her career. "It’s absolutely amazing.

I’m still in a bit of shock, but this is something I’ll remember forever," she told Sky Sports. "I’m chuffed, and it will take me a while to get over it." Greaves described the feeling after the win as surprisingly calm. "When I woke up that morning I felt relaxed and comfortable.

I was just happy and enjoying the games I was playing," she said. She noted that as the tournament progressed, the level of opposition rose dramatically, and beating three world champions in a row made the triumph even sweeter. "The finish at the end was probably the best three darts I have ever thrown," she added, emphasizing that sometimes moments of greatness simply happen, and that day was hers. While many players might have celebrated with a night out, Greaves opted for a low‑key evening.

"I was invited to go to the pub, but I said no," she explained. Instead, she returned to her hotel, treated herself to a slice of pizza and a hot chocolate, and called her family.

"That was more than enough for me," she said, underscoring her grounded approach to success. The World Youth Championship runner‑up has adapted seamlessly to life as a PDC Tour Card holder. Her recent breakthrough win brings her within £4,000 of the provisional qualification spots for October’s World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. In addition, Greaves has recorded two nine‑dart finishes in 2026, the latest of which came on the Development Tour on a Friday.

Greaves acknowledges that she has been working harder than ever, pushing her limits while still finding joy in the game. "The Pro Tour is the level I’ve wanted to be at for a while, and I seem to be delivering good results and deep runs," she said.

"Hitting my first nine‑darter there was incredibly special. I’m just really happy at the moment and I’m enjoying life." She often reminds herself how fortunate she feels to earn a living playing darts. "I’ve always said I feel extremely lucky to play darts for a living, and that’s part of it. I just try to enjoy my life while I’m young and not stress myself out too much," Greaves explained.

Being a trailblazer in a traditionally male‑dominated sport brings its own pressure, but Greaves says she deals with it by staying focused on her own game and by wanting to inspire the next generation of young girls. "There is more pressure in a way, but I’ve always tried to concentrate on myself," she said.

"Fallon Sherrock had her time, and I’m trying to do the same for the next wave of talent. I want to fly the flag for young girls out there." Greaves admits that the added visibility can feel like a weight, yet she embraces it.

"I probably feel more pressure that way. I just want to be successful and give young girls someone to look up to.

I just try to play my game and enjoy everything I’m involved in," she remarked. When asked about Premier League ambitions, Greaves was realistic but hopeful. "Never say never, but I still have a distance to go before I could claim a spot. I would probably need to win the World Darts Championship to get into the Premier League," she said.

"I never thought I would win my first ranking title now, if ever, so I’m just going to enjoy the moment, get back to practicing, and work hard. If I keep going the way I am, you never know where I might end up." Looking ahead, the darts community will be watching Greaves closely as she continues to break barriers and set new standards.

Her historic win not only adds a new chapter to her own career but also paves the way for more women to compete at the highest levels of the sport. The upcoming Premier League Darts will see defending champion Luke Humphries aim to retain his title, while fans can tune in each Thursday until May on Sky Sports to catch all the action.

Greaves’ journey serves as a reminder that perseverance, talent, and a calm mindset can rewrite history, one dart at a time.