Beau Greaves has long been a dominant force in women’s darts, and she has now etched her name into the sport’s history books with a performance that she herself describes as containing three of the best darts she has ever thrown. On Monday, at the Players Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes, the 22‑year‑old from Doncaster achieved a breakthrough that will be remembered for years to come: she became the first woman ever to capture a PDC ranking title, edging out Michael Smith 8‑7 in a nail‑biting finish.
Greaves’ path to that historic victory was nothing short of remarkable. Over the course of the tournament she won seven consecutive matches, each one testing her skill, composure, and mental stamina. The climax came in the final leg, when she faced the seasoned Englishman known as “Bully Boy” Smith.
With the match tied and the pressure mounting, Greaves hit a spectacular 142 checkout – a combination of treble 20, treble 20 and double 11 – to seal the win. She later reflected that the three darts that completed the checkout were, in her view, the finest she has ever thrown in her career. The win was even more impressive because Greaves dispatched three former world champions in the latter stages of the event. After navigating earlier rounds, she knocked out Rob Cross, then Gary Anderson, and finally Michael Smith in the final.
Each of those opponents has held the sport’s most coveted titles, and overcoming them in succession underscored the magnitude of Greaves’ achievement. When asked by Sky Sports how she felt after the triumph, Greaves admitted the experience was still surreal.
“It is absolutely amazing. I am still in a bit of shock now but it is something I can look back on and remember forever,” she said.
She added that the victory left her feeling both humbled and exhilarated: “I am chuffed and it will take me a while to get over it.” Greaves described the day’s emotions in vivid detail. “When I woke up that morning I felt really chilled and comfortable. I was just happy and enjoying the games I was playing,” she recalled. She noted that as the tournament progressed, the level of competition rose sharply, making the feat of beating three world champions in a row even more special.
“The finish at the end was probably the best three darts I have ever thrown,” she said, emphasizing how rare such moments are in professional darts. Despite the historic nature of her win, Greaves kept her celebrations modest.
When offered a trip to the pub, she politely declined. Instead, she returned to her hotel, treated herself to a slice of pizza and a hot chocolate, and called her family to share the news. “That was good enough for me,” she explained, highlighting her grounded approach to success. Beyond this landmark victory, Greaves has continued to make strides on the PDC circuit.
As a holder of a PDC Tour Card, she has adapted seamlessly to the rigors of the professional tour. Her recent win brings her within £4,000 of the provisional qualification spots for the World Grand Prix in October, a tournament broadcast live on Sky Sports. In addition, Greaves has already recorded two nine‑dart finishes in 2026, the latest coming on the Development Tour on a Friday, further cementing her reputation as a rising star.
Greaves attributes her rapid progress to a combination of hard work, self‑belief, and an enjoyment of the game. “The Pro Tour is the level I have wanted to be at for a while, and I seem to be performing well and getting good results,” she said. She described the feeling of hitting her first nine‑dart finish on the Pro Tour as “really special.” She also emphasized the importance of staying relaxed and grateful. “I have always said I feel extremely lucky to play darts for a living, and that comes into it.
I just try and enjoy my life while I am young and not stress myself out too much,” Greaves explained. This balanced mindset, she believes, is key to sustaining high performance in a sport that can be mentally demanding. As a trailblazer in a traditionally male‑dominated arena, Greaves is aware of the added pressure that comes with being a role model for young girls. She remains focused on her own game while hoping to inspire the next generation.
“There is more pressure in a way, but I have always tried to concentrate on myself,” she said. “Fallon Sherrock had her time, and I have come along and I am trying to do that as well. I am trying to fly the flag for young girls out there.” Greaves acknowledges that the visibility she brings can be a double‑edged sword, but 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,” she added. Her ultimate ambition is to continue producing big moments that showcase the potential of women in darts. When asked about future aspirations, particularly regarding the Premier League, Greaves was cautiously optimistic. “Never say never, but I still have a distance to go to claim a spot,” she said.
She believes that winning the World Darts Championship would be a likely pathway to Premier League inclusion. “I never thought I would win my first ranking title now, if ever, so I am 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.” Greaves’ story is a testament to perseverance, talent, and the power of breaking barriers.
Her historic win not only adds a new chapter to darts history but also paves the way for more women to compete at the highest levels. As the sport looks ahead to upcoming events such as the Premier League Darts, where Luke Humphries will defend his title, all eyes will be on Beau Greaves to see how far her remarkable journey can go.