In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision meets psychological warfare, few sights are as gut-punching as a top player frozen at the oche. That was the agonizing reality for fans witnessing Scott Williams, the charismatic semi-finalist from last year’s PDC World Darts Championship, in a first-round clash at Players Championship 33 in Wigan. Trailing 5-1 against Ryan Joyce, the 35-year-old Englishman from Boston stepped up for what should have been a routine visit—and instead delivered a moment that left the darts community reeling.
Williams, renowned for his silky-smooth throwing action—one of the most satisfying to watch in the sport—leaned forward, dart poised, eyes locked on the board. But the release never came. He hesitated, pulled back, sighed deeply, rubbed his face in frustration, and stared at the ground. The crowd held its breath as he reset, only to repeat the torment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he unleashed three darts toward treble 19. It was a small victory amid a 6-1 defeat, but the damage was done. Footage of the struggle exploded across social media, capturing a raw vulnerability that transcends the scoreboard.
For those unfamiliar, dartitis is the sport’s most dreaded curse—a mental block that severs the connection between brain and arm. It’s not a physical injury; it’s a psychological phantom that erases muscle memory, leaving players unable to let go of the dart. Anxiety, stage fright, or the sheer terror of missing can trigger it, turning world-class throwers into shadows of themselves. Williams, the ultimate showman who once taunted fans with a playful wasp impression during his fairy-tale World Championship run, was suddenly its latest victim.
This isn’t hyperbole. The condition has felled giants before. Nathan Aspinall, now World No. 20, came perilously close to quitting the game altogether. “The way [my hypnotherapist] explains it is, when I’m on that stage about to throw it, I’m having a panic attack,” Aspinall revealed. “Your heart’s going like that. You don’t want to miss. And then all of a sudden, you’re like, I can’t throw it. You imagine having… 20 panic attacks in the space of 20 minutes. It’s horrific.” Through twice-weekly hypnotherapy sessions with Chris O’Connor, Aspinall has clawed his way back, emphasizing calm breathing and a few extra seconds on big shots. “I’m handling it really, really well today,” he added. “It’s making a hell of a difference.”
Rising star Gian van Veen knows the despair intimately, breaking down in tears after fans accused him of cheating during an episode. And who could forget Berry van Peer’s infamous 2017 meltdown against Gary Anderson, where tears streamed as darts refused to fly? Yet, van Peer conquered it through relentless practice and positive mindset, a beacon for sufferers like Williams. Even legends like five-time world champion Eric Bristow and former pro Kevin Painter fell prey, proving dartitis spares no one.
The outpouring of empathy online was immediate and overwhelming. “That visit was heart-breaking to watch,” posted one fan. “I really hope he comes back stronger.” Another lamented, “Oh no. He had that smooth and good throw and it’s probably gone… please no.” A third captured the universal dread: “He’s got one of the most satisfying smooth actions too. Dartitis man, wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.” “This is tough to watch, another player suffering with Dartitis,” echoed a fourth, while a fifth noted, “Dartitis is becoming more common nowadays. It’s really sad to see anyone going through it.”
Williams’ journey adds another layer to darts’ golden era. His World Championship semi-final heroics—capped by a stunning upset over a young prodigy—cemented him as a fan favorite, blending flair with firepower. Players Championship events like PC33 are the Pro Tour’s gritty grind, where rankings are forged in floor tournaments away from TV glamour. A early exit stings, but for Williams, it’s the invisible battle that truly tests resolve.
Dartitis strikes without warning, but recovery stories abound. Aspinall’s hypnosis triumph, van Peer’s mental reboot—these offer hope. Fans are rallying behind “Shaggy,” praying his flair returns. “Scott Williams has one of the smoothest throws on the tour, seeing him struggle like this is horrible,” one supporter wrote. “Dartitis is a bastard, hope he overcomes it sooner rather than later.”
As the oche awaits his next throw, the darts world watches with bated breath. Williams isn’t just fighting for legs or sets; he’s battling his own mind. In a sport where milliseconds separate glory from agony, his comeback could inspire a generation. Hang in there, Scott—the board is waiting, and so are we.
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