Beau Greaves became the first woman to win the PDC ranking title with a historic 8-7 victory over Michael Smith in the Players Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes on Monday.
Greaves won the deciding final leg thanks to an incredible 142 checkout, taking a 6-3 lead early in the contest with a big-fish finishing 170.
What makes Greaves’ accomplishment even more remarkable is the fact that the 22-year-old has defeated three former world champions in her last three matches.
Like 2023 winner Smith in the final, Greaves defeated two-time champion Gary Anderson 7-1 in the semi-finals and 2018 world champion Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-finals.
Anderson previously hit a nine-darter in a last-16 tie with Alexander Merckx.
Greaves shocked by ‘unbelievable’ win
After the win, an emotional Greaves said: “I never thought I would win. Never, ever.”
“I’m so happy. I can’t even describe how I feel. I’m incredibly proud of myself.
“I never expected to come out here today and win. I know I’m capable of it and I know I have the talent to do it, but to go against the guys I’m playing…I beat Gary Anderson – it was unbelievable!”
“I don’t know what’s going on. It’s just amazing that I’m beating players that I’ve watched growing up.
“Apart from winning Lakeside (3-time WDF Women’s Darts World Champion), this is my best result ever and I hope I can do my best now and be successful on TV.
“I’m really satisfied!”
2026 Players Championship 11: Results
last 16
Wessel Nyman 6-1 Leon Weber
Gary Anderson 6-1 Alexander Merckx
Rob Cross 6-2 Ross Smith
Borgreaves 6-4 Karel Sedlacek
Michael Smith 6-4 Joe Hunt
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Callan Liz
William O’Connor 6-3 Cristo Reyes
Kevin Doets 6-1 Max Hopp
quarterfinals
Gary Anderson 6-3 Wessel Nyman
Beau Greaves 6-5 Rob Cross
Michael Smith 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Kevin Doets 6-1 William O’Connor
Semi-final
Borgreaves 7-1 Gary Anderson
Michael Smith 7-4 Kevin Deutz
final
Beaugreaves 8-7 Michael Smith
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the match every Thursday on Sky Sports until May. Stream darts and other top sports now.
