Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec

Damon Heta sent Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a mind-blowing nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.

The spectacular minute came throughout his second-round clash against English gamer Luke Woodhouse.

But the Australian couldn’t ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 down to clinch nine straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his profession.

Despite the defeat, Heta will win ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his legendary nine-dart feat.

For this year’s PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out an overall of ₤ 180k for every nine-darter scored during the competition, with the funds to be divided 3 methods.

The player who tosses the ideal leg will receive ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the wagering company are likewise set to contribute ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the official Charity partner of the tournament.

A fan in the audience who was using a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed blazer was selected as the fortunate winner of the substantial prize money.

Damon Heta struck an astonishing nine-dart surface on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace

HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the 2nd nine-darter of the tournament 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 donate another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally

Hilariously another fan had been seen holding an indication behind the male that checked out Wayne Mardle’s iconic ‘I can’t spake’ line, which the legendary darts commentator had said following Michael Smith’s nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.

Paddy Power are also donating ₤ 1,000 for each 180 tossed during this Year’s championship as part of their Bigger180 campaign.

Heta’s ideal leg was the 2nd nine-dart surface at the competition. Since this morning, Paddy Power had actually raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having been struck at the tournament prior to the start of this afternoon’s session.

The Australian started improperly against Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the very first set, being broken by his opponent in the last leg of the first set.

He struck back in the second term with an exceptional passage of play, racking off two 180s and the last 141 in style.

The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, leapt around the stage in jubilation and at one point even appeared to leap off the phase.

His challenger, Woodhouse, looked just as thrilled as Heta did, jumping up and down on the stage before showing his class, offering the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the astonishing feat.

The Brit, 36, has actually been hailed for his reaction to the minute online, with one fan writing: ‘Luke Woodhouse’s after Heta’s nine-darter is class.’

Paddy Power later revealed the gentleman who had won the ₤ 60,000 prize pot

The minute among the audience learnt they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln

– Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024

Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (ideal) accepted on phase after the legendary minute

After Heta had gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him bounce back versus his British challenger to draw level at 1-1

‘Big props to Luke Woodhouse – he’s genuinely buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and enjoyment!’ another wrote on X.

‘The way Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta’s nine-darter and raises his hand later on is what makes this sport so excellent,’ one wrote.

‘The friendship in darts is incredible. Just look at the method Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his opponent’s nine-darter previously,’ another stated.

After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the astonishing moment that saw his good buddy Heta win ₤ 60k.

‘Me and Damo are buddies,’ he told Sky sports betting. ‘We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot …

‘I understand he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the first video game.

‘So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.

‘You couldn’t not commemorate with him!’

Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV

– Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024

Elated by the sensational surface, the Australian, who hails from Perth, leapt off the phase in elation

Woodhouse was applauded for his response to his challenger’s nine-dart surface, with some lauding his ‘sportsmanship’

Heta would go on to control in the third set, winning 3-2 and once again controling the 4th, breaking his challenger two times.

But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 on the planet, recuperated, winning all 3 final sets to turn things around on his challenger and development through to the next round.

A visibly psychological Woodhouse stated after the match: ‘I’m over the moon.’

‘It’s not just me it’s my better half, my household and my boy. So [I’m doing] really excellent.’