Damon Heta sent Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a spectacular nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payment to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The sensational moment came throughout his second-round clash versus English gamer Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian could not ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 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 profession.
Despite the defeat, Heta will leave with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his impressive nine-dart feat.
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For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out a total of ₤ 180k for every nine-darter scored during the competition, with the funds to be split 3 methods.
The gamer who throws the best leg will receive ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the sports betting business are likewise set to donate ₤ 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 sports betting jacket was chosen as the fortunate winner of the big cash reward.
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Damon Heta hit a spectacular 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 roofing at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024
The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the perfect 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 actually been seen holding a sign behind the man that read Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the legendary darts commentator had stated following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are likewise contributing ₤ 1,000 for every single 180 thrown during this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 campaign.
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Heta's perfect leg was the second nine-dart surface at the tournament. Since today, Paddy Power had actually raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
The Australian began poorly against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the first set, being broken by his opponent in the final leg of the first set.
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He countered in the 2nd term with an exceptional 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 jubilation and at one point even appeared to jump off the phase.
His challenger, Woodhouse, looked simply as excited as Heta did, leaping up and down on the stage before showing his class, providing the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to commemorate the astonishing task.
The Brit, 36, has been hailed for his response to the moment online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
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Paddy Power later on revealed the gentleman who had won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot
The moment 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) on phase after the legendary minute
After Heta had gone a set down in the first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him recover versus his British challenger 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 wrote on X.
'The method 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 amazing. Just look at the way Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another said.
After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the spectacular moment that saw his good buddy Heta stroll away with ₤ 60k.
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'Me and Damo are great friends,' 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 very first game.
'So, yeah, when he struck 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 mind-blowing surface, the Australian, who comes from Perth, jumped off the phase in elation
Woodhouse was applauded for his reaction 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 once again controling the 4th, breaking his challenger two times.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 worldwide, recovered, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his opponent and development through to the next round.
A visibly psychological Woodhouse stated after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not simply me it's my wife, my family and my boy. So [I'm doing] truly excellent.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE-DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
preciousscheff edited this page 2025-01-02 02:19:05 +08:00