Beau Greaves has long been a leading figure in women’s darts, and she has now etched her name into the sport’s history books with what she describes as three of the best darts she has ever thrown. In a landmark moment on the PDC Pro Tour, the 22‑year‑old from Doncaster clinched her first PDC ranking title, becoming the first female player to do so after edging Michael Smith 8‑7 in the final of Players Championship 11 on Monday.
Greaves’ path to the trophy was nothing short of remarkable. She powered through seven consecutive victories in Milton Keynes, a run that featured a dramatic deciding‑leg finish against the crowd‑pleasing Michael Smith. In that decisive leg she hit a 142 checkout, sealing the win with a combination of two treble‑20s and a double‑11 – the three darts she now hails as the finest of her career. The champion, a two‑time Women’s World Matchplay winner, overcame a trio of former world champions in the latter stages of the event.
After dispatching Rob Cross, she then defeated Gary Anderson, and finally bested Smith in the championship match. Each of those opponents had previously stood atop the sport, making Greaves’ achievement all the more significant.
When asked to reflect on the experience, Greaves admitted the reality of the win was still sinking in. "It’s absolutely amazing," she told Sky Sports. "I’m still in a bit of shock, but this is something I’ll remember forever.
I’m chuffed and it will take me a while to get over it." She described the feeling on the morning of the final as one of calm confidence: "When I woke up that day I felt really chilled and comfortable. I was just happy and enjoying the games I was playing." She also highlighted the increasing difficulty of the competition as she progressed: "The further you get, the tougher the opponents become, and beating three world champions in a row made it even more special." The final checkout, she added, was likely "the best three darts I have ever thrown" – a moment that, in her view, simply fell into place. While many athletes might celebrate such a historic victory with a night out, Greaves opted for a low‑key evening. "I was invited to a pub, but I said no," she said.
Instead, she returned to her hotel, treated herself to a slice of pizza and a hot chocolate, and called her family before heading to bed. "That was more than enough for me," she explained. Beyond the headline‑making win, Greaves has continued to make strides as a PDC Tour Card holder. She is now within £4,000 of the provisional qualification spots for October’s World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
In 2026 she recorded two nine‑dart finishes, the most recent occurring on the Development Tour on a Friday, underscoring her growing consistency at the highest level. Greaves attributes her recent surge to a combination of hard work and a balanced mindset.
"The Pro Tour is the level I’ve wanted to be at for a while, and I feel I’m performing well, getting good results and deep runs," she said. "Hitting my first nine‑darter there was really special. I’m just really happy at the moment and enjoying life." She emphasizes that she feels fortunate to earn a living playing darts and tries not to let pressure overwhelm her.
"I’ve always said I feel extremely lucky to play darts for a living, and that perspective helps," she noted. "I just try to enjoy my life while I’m young and not stress myself out too much." As a trailblazer in a traditionally male‑dominated sport, Greaves acknowledges the added responsibility of representing young girls who aspire to follow in her footsteps. "There is more pressure in a way, but I’ve always tried to concentrate on myself," she explained.
"Fallon Sherrock had her time, and I’m trying to do the same for the next generation. I want to fly the flag for young girls out there." She admits that this sense of representation can increase the weight of expectations, yet she remains focused on her own game. "I probably feel more pressure that way, but I just want to be successful and give young girls someone to look up to," she said. "I just try and play my game and enjoy everything I’m involved in." When asked about future ambitions, particularly a place in the Premier League, Greaves was realistic yet hopeful.
"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." Greaves’ story is a testament to perseverance, skill, and the growing influence of women in professional darts. Her historic victory, the three darts she proudly cites, and her steady climb up the rankings illustrate a new era for the sport—one where talent transcends gender barriers and inspires the next generation of players.