In a dramatic opening round clash at the PDC World Darts Championship, Beau Greaves fell agonisingly short of securing her first victory on the sport's biggest stage, losing 3-2 to Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney at Alexandra Palace on Friday 19 December 2025.
A Nail-Biting Defeat for the Rising Star
The 21-year-old from Doncaster, making her second appearance at Ally Pally, was edged out in a final-set decider by the experienced 22nd seed. In a remarkable statistical quirk, Greaves actually won more legs than her opponent, claiming 11 to Gurney's 10, but it was the two-time World Cup winner who held his nerve to progress. The match showcased Greaves' phenomenal talent, including a stunning 10-dart leg that she produced to level the contest.
Gurney, however, delivered the decisive blow in the deciding set, pulling off the highest checkout of the match—a magnificent 144—to break Greaves' throw before sealing the victory. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Gurney was full of praise for his young opponent. "For me, she's the best woman dart player on the planet," he stated. "If there's going to be a dart player that can win the World Championships or any majors, that's the player you want to look to."
Other First Round Action at Ally Pally
The afternoon session saw other notable results. Josh Rock, a fellow Northern Irishman and title tip, overcame a spirited challenge from Women's Series qualifier Gemma Hayter to win 3-1. Rock, who won the 2025 World Cup with Gurney, survived a major scare in the fourth set before clinching victory with an 81 checkout.
Ireland's William O'Connor produced a blistering performance, averaging 102.3 in a dominant 3-0 whitewash of Poland's Krzysztof Kciuk. This sets up a tantalising second-round clash with three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen. O'Connor was the player who defeated Greaves in her only previous World Championship appearance.
Elsewhere, American showman Lenny Gates battled to a 3-2 win over Mickey Mansell, while Ryan Meikle comfortably defeated Argentina's Jesus Salate 3-0. Dutchman Kevin Doets recovered from losing the first set to beat Matthew Dennant 3-1.
Disqualification Overshadows Championship
The tournament was rocked by news that Dom Taylor received a disqualification for failing a drugs test, granting Johnny Clayton a bye into the third round. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) announced the suspension with immediate effect after an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted on 14 December. The matter is now subject to a full disciplinary process under the DRA's anti-doping rules.
While Greaves' quest for a maiden win continues, her performance against a seasoned professional like Gurney has further cemented her status as a formidable force in darts, promising more thrilling battles on the Alexandra Palace stage in years to come.
