The PDC World Darts Championship 2025 has continued to captivate fans as the tournament saw some thrilling moments, one being the stunning nine-darter thrown by Australian player Damon Heta. Unfortunately for Heta, his perfect leg was not enough as he was knocked out by England’s Luke Woodhouse during the intense third round match at Alexandra Palace, London.
Heta made headlines when he celebrated wildly after completing the nine-darter by hitting double 12, igniting cheers from the lively crowd. This remarkable achievement not only highlighted Heta's remarkable skills but also marked him as the third player ever to achieve such perfection within the PDC World Darts Championship history, bringing the tournament's nine-darter count to 16 overall. Heta's achievement came with financial rewards; he collected £60,000 for his nine-darter, with the same amount awarded to charity and one lucky spectator present at the venue.
Despite his near-perfect display, Heta, seeded ninth, couldn’t maintain his lead. He started strong, taking a 3-1 lead against Woodhouse. Yet, the dynamic of the match shifted dramatically as Woodhouse pulled off a stunning comeback, winning the match 4-3 without dropping another leg from there onward. Heta's exit from the tournament marked him as the 15th seed to be eliminated from the competition, with four of the top ten seeds having already departed.
Woodhouse embraced the thrilling atmosphere, sharing his thoughts with Sky Sports afterward. "I've got no words at all - the crowd has been fantastic," he expressed, reflecting on the electrifying support around him. He admitted to feeling the pressure during the match and focused on maintaining momentum. "I was just trying to put him under as much pressure as possible. I just wanted to keep on top of him and see what happened from there," he stated.
Regarding Heta’s impressive nine-darter, Woodhouse remarked on their friendship, saying, "Me and Damo are good friends. We go and play golf together... It was brilliant. The crowd went wild, and you couldn't not celebrate." This citation emphasized not only the friendship but also the spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation shared among players, especially during pivotal moments.
The PDC World Darts Championship continues to be filled with surprises and exceptional performances as players strive for the prestigious title. This year’s competition, which resumed post-Christmas, and began the new phase with intense matches capturing the attention of darts enthusiasts worldwide, showing the resilience of players and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
You can follow the tournament's progress with upcoming matches scheduled to showcase more elite players, including Jonny Clayton against Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price facing Joe Cullen. The evening session at Alexandra Palace promises to be another exciting spectacle for fans, reaffirming the championship's thrilling reputation.
