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 what she describes as three of her "best darts ever" on the PDC Pro Tour. At just 22 years old, the Doncaster native achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking title. She secured a dramatic 8‑7 win over Michael Smith in the final of Players Championship 11, held on Monday in Milton Keynes.
Greaves’ path to the trophy was nothing short of spectacular. She won seven consecutive matches, culminating in a nail‑biting deciding‑leg finish where she hit a 142 checkout against the fan‑favorite Michael Smith – a moment that will be replayed for years to come. The victory was especially significant because Greaves, a two‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion, dispatched three former world champions in the latter stages of the event: Rob Cross, Gary Anderson and finally Smith.
Each of those wins added weight to her historic achievement and underscored her ability to compete with the very best in the game. When asked to reflect on the experience, Greaves admitted that the reality of the win was still sinking in. She highlighted the final combination – T20, T20, D11 – as the three darts that she will remember forever.
"It is absolutely amazing. I’m still in a bit of shock, but it’s something I can look back on and remember for the rest of my life," she told Sky Sports.
"I’m chuffed, and it will take me a while to get over it." Greaves described the atmosphere on the morning of the final as calm and comfortable. "When I woke up that day I just felt really chilled and really comfortable. I was just happy and enjoying the games I was playing," she said. She noted that each successive round presented tougher opponents, 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 added, emphasizing how rare such moments are in professional darts. While many players might celebrate a historic win with a night out, Greaves kept her post‑victory routine low‑key. When invited to a pub, she politely declined, opting instead for a quiet evening at her hotel.
"I went back to the hotel, had a slice of pizza and a hot chocolate, then went to bed," she explained. "I called my family, and that was more than enough for me." Beyond this landmark title, Greaves continues to make strides as a PDC Tour Card holder.
Her recent triumph brings her within £4,000 of the provisional qualification spots for October’s World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. She has also recorded two nine‑darters in 2026, the latest of which came on the Development Tour on a Friday, further showcasing her growing consistency and scoring power. Greaves attributes her progress to a combination of hard work, self‑belief, and a genuine love for 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.
"Hitting my first nine‑darter on the Tour was incredibly special. I’m just really happy at the moment and enjoying life." She also acknowledges the unique pressure that comes with being a trailblazer in a traditionally male‑dominated sport. Rather than letting the spotlight overwhelm her, Greaves remains focused on her own game and on inspiring the next generation of girls who dream of playing darts professionally. "There is more pressure in a way, but I always try to concentrate on myself," she explained.
"Fallon Sherrock had her time, and now I’m trying to do the same for young girls. I want to be a role model they can look up to." When asked about future ambitions, Greaves was realistic yet optimistic. She believes that winning the World Darts Championship could be a pathway to the Premier League, although she admits she still has a distance to travel before that becomes a realistic goal.
"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 keep working hard," she said. "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 evolving landscape of darts. Her historic win not only shatters a glass ceiling but also paves the way for more women to compete at the highest levels.
As the sport continues to grow, fans can look forward to watching Beau Greaves add more chapters to her already impressive career, whether she’s chasing another ranking title, a Premier League spot, or simply enjoying the journey that has already taken her from local leagues to the world stage.