Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a sensational nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The stunning minute came during his second-round clash versus English player Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian could not ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse returning from going 3-1 down to clinch 9 straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his career.
Despite the defeat, Heta will leave with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his impressive nine-dart feat.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying an overall of ₤ 180k for every single nine-darter scored during the tournament, with the funds to be split 3 ways.
The player who throws the best leg will receive ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the wagering company are also set to contribute ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the main Charity partner of the competition.
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A fan in the audience who was wearing a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed blazer was picked as the lucky winner of the substantial cash prize.
Damon Heta hit a marvelous nine-dart surface on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace
HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the competition to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024
The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the best leg, with Paddy Power likewise now set to contribute another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally
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Hilariously another fan had actually been seen holding a sign behind the man that read Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the famous darts commentator had stated following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are likewise donating ₤ 1,000 for every single 180 tossed during this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 project.
Heta's ideal leg was the second nine-dart surface at the tournament. As of this early morning, Paddy Power had raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having actually been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The Australian started badly versus Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the very first set, being broken by his opponent in the final leg of the very first set.
He countered in the second term with an impressive passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the last 141 in style.
The 37-year-old Australian, who comes from Perth, jumped around the phase in festivity and at one point even appeared to jump off the stage.
His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as delighted as Heta did, jumping up and down on the phase before showing his class, offering the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to commemorate the marvelous feat.
The Brit, 36, has been hailed for his response to the minute online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
Paddy Power later on revealed the gentleman who had actually won the ₤ 60,000 prize pot
The minute among the audience discovered out they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (right) welcomed on phase after the epic moment
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After Heta had gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him bounce back against his British opponent to draw level at 1-1
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'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's truly buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and enjoyment!' another composed on X.
'The way Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand later on is what makes this sport so great,' one composed.
'The friendship in darts is extraordinary. Just take a look at the method Luke Woodhouse, celebrated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another said.
After the match, Woodhouse showed on the marvelous minute that saw his great buddy Heta walk away with ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are buddies,' he informed Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...
'I know he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the first video game.
'So, yeah, when he struck that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
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'You couldn't not commemorate with him!'
Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV
- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024
Elated by the astonishing finish, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the stage in elation
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Woodhouse was praised for his response to his challenger's nine-dart finish, with some admiring his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to dominate in the 3rd set, winning 3-2 and again dominating the fourth, breaking his opponent two times.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 on the planet, got better, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his opponent and development through to the next round.
A visibly emotional Woodhouse stated after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not simply me it's my spouse, my and my kid. So [I'm doing] really good.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
sophia01s67623 edited this page 2025-01-02 08:23:53 +08:00