Greaves becomes first female PDC title winner

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Beau Greaves' victory against Michael Smith featured a 170 checkout

Beau Greaves became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title by defeating Michael Smith 8-7 in the Players Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes.

The 22-year-old checked out with 142 in the deciding leg to seal victory against the former world champion, closing with a double 11.

She also took out 170 in leg nine, on her way to a 80% checkout success and an average of 96.49.

Greaves enjoyed a strong run to the final, defeating two more ex-world champions in Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-finals and Gary Anderson 7-1 in the semi-finals.

It is the latest step in Greaves' ascendant career, after she recorded a 114-match winning run in the PDC Women's Series and became the first woman to hit a nine-dart finish on the PDC ProTour.

"I've had a great year, but I never thought I'd win one of these, never ever," said Greaves.

"Today I played really well. I'm so happy, I can't even describe the way I feel. I feel so proud of myself.

"I beat Gary Anderson - I can't believe it. Even beating Michael - I'm beating players I watched growing up. Hopefully I can kick on and keep doing it."

Elsewhere in the tournament, world number two Luke Humphries exited in the third round 6-5 to Max Hopp, while Premier League Darts players Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock fell in the first round.

The event did not feature world champion Luke Littler, who is yet to play in a Players Championship event this year, while Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall were also not in the field.

There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition's finals held in Minehead, Somerset from 26-30 November, featuring the 64 best-performing players.

Greaves currently sits fifth in the Players Championship order of merit after her win on Monday.

Beau Greaves - how far can darts' rising star go?

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