In the electrifying world of professional darts, where precision meets raw adrenaline and every throw can rewrite history, few names carry the weight of Phil Taylor. The 16-time world champion, affectionately known as “The Power,” has long been the gold standard—a towering figure whose dominance spanned decades, amassing a record 214 professional titles and etching his legacy into the oche like no other. Now, at 64, Taylor has turned his sharp gaze toward the future, boldly endorsing a young phenom who could shatter the sport’s final glass ceiling: Beau Greaves. With the PDC World Darts Championship looming at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace this December, Taylor’s recent comments have ignited fervent debate, positioning Greaves not just as a contender, but as a potential trailblazer poised to claim the ultimate prize.
Taylor’s admiration for Greaves isn’t born from fleeting hype; it’s rooted in the quiet confidence of a legend who’s seen it all. Speaking candidly about the 21-year-old sensation, he revealed how her rise has permeated even his family circle. “But my grandson Matthew, who is darts-mad, tells me about her all the time—what averages she’s hitting, which tournaments she’s won, everything,” Taylor shared, his voice laced with the warmth of a proud mentor. It’s a personal touch that humanizes the icon, showing how Greaves’ meteoric ascent has captivated not just pros, but the next generation of fans glued to their screens, dissecting every leg and checkout.
Greaves, hailing from the gritty determination of Doncaster, England, is no stranger to pressure. As the youngest of six siblings—many of whom share her passion for the board—she was introduced to darts at age 10 by her brother Taylor, now a fellow competitor on the circuit. What began as sibling rivalry has blossomed into a professional odyssey that’s seen her claim three consecutive WDF Women’s World Championships, cementing her status as the women’s world No. 1. But it’s her forays into the male-dominated PDC arena that have truly turned heads. In 2022, at just 18, she made her debut at the PDC World Championship, battling valiantly before falling in the first round. Undeterred, Greaves doubled down, topping the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit in 2023, 2024, and now 2025, while racking up four titles on the PDC Development Tour.
Her latest triumph? A heart-stopping 6-5 semi-final upset over reigning PDC world champion Luke Littler at the World Youth Championship—a clash that unfolded like a blockbuster thriller. Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy fresh off a 6-1 demolition of world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final, entered as the heavy favorite. Averaging a blistering 107.4, he rattled off three straight legs to flip a 2-1 deficit into a commanding lead. Yet Greaves, with ice in her veins and an average of 105, clawed back relentlessly, leveling at 4-4 and then 5-5. In the decider, she unleashed an 11-dart leg, sealing victory with a clinical 84 checkout on the double 18. It marked the first time a woman has reached the World Youth final, where she’ll face defending champion Gian van Veen on November 23 in Minehead. Littler, gracious in defeat, posted on social media: “Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.” The win wasn’t just personal; it guaranteed Greaves a PDC Tour Card for the 2026-27 season, her first full-time ticket to the men’s professional circuit—the first woman to earn one via the Development Tour since Lisa Ashton’s groundbreaking Q-School success in 2020.
This surge has thrust Greaves into the spotlight for Ally Pally, where she’ll join the £500,000 showdown alongside the likes of Humphries, Littler, and Michael van Gerwen. But it’s Taylor’s unfiltered take that adds the real spark. He doesn’t mince words about her potential to conquer the men’s crown. “And without wanting to rock the boat, one reason I’m saying that is because of the transgender barriers which are coming down. Hypothetically, you could have a fella who identifies as a lady winning it—and there’s no rule against it.” Taylor’s words cut through the politeness, highlighting the evolving landscape of inclusivity in sports while zeroing in on Greaves as the catalyst. He’s echoed this belief before, once declaring, “Do I think a lady will win it? Yes, I think it will probably happen. Maybe not yet, but one day. Beau Greaves is setting the standard.” It’s a prophetic nod from a man who knows victory’s sting and glory—having won 14 of his titles in the PDC era alone, often with averages north of 100 that left opponents in awe.
The broader implications ripple far beyond the board. Greaves’ Tour Card means she’ll forgo defending her WDF title next year, a calculated pivot toward the PDC’s high-stakes ecosystem. Fellow pros are buzzing with support. Humphries, the reigning world champion, gushed about her prospects: “She’s backed to flourish” on the Pro Tour, praising her composure under fire. Even Fallon Sherrock, the trailblazing “Queen of the Palace” set for her sixth Worlds appearance, sees echoes of her own barrier-breaking runs in Greaves’ poise. At 21, Greaves embodies a new era: a player who can hang with the elite, hitting 180s with surgical accuracy and checkouts that silence doubters. Her recent Women’s World Matchplay victory showcased that flair, a dominant performance that had crowds roaring.
As December approaches, the darts world holds its breath. Taylor’s endorsement isn’t just hype—it’s a beacon for dreamers in a sport once ruled by unbreakable molds. Greaves stands on the cusp, her story a testament to grit, family bonds, and unyielding ambition. Will she hoist the Sid Waddell Trophy, becoming the first woman to etch her name among the immortals? In Taylor’s eyes, it’s not if, but when. “Beau Greaves is setting the standard,” he insists, and in the high-octane theater of Ally Pally, that standard might just rewrite the record books. With Littler’s respect, Humphries’ backing, and The Power’s prophecy, Greaves isn’t arriving—she’s arriving to conquer. The oche awaits its next revolution.
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