The chalkboard at Blackpool Winter Gardens marked the moment Beau Greaves sealed her third Women’s World Matchplay title. The 22-year-old held off Fallon Sherrock 6-5 in a final that felt less like a celebration and more like an end of chapter. That chapter now is closed. The next is already being written. Greaves, who stands at the top of her game, has made it clear that her ambitions lie far beyond what the women’s circuit can offer.
Following her victory, Greaves declared her 'main goal' is the men’s side, a direction that reflects her dominance in the women’s circuit over the years. In 2026, she has already claimed 11 out of the first 16 Women’s Series events, earning £29,700 in the process. This performance puts her far ahead in the Order of Merit, more than double the £12,550 collected by Lisa Ashton, who ranks second. This achievement is part of a broader pattern of excellence for Greaves, who now holds 57 Women’s Series titles, an 114-match unbeaten run, and 17 consecutive tournament wins.
Historic firsts, new challenges
Greaves is not just any athlete. She’s a trailblazer. As the first woman to win a PDC ranking title, she triumphed at Players Championship 11. She also became the first to throw a nine-darter in ProTour history and the first woman to qualify for the European Tour. These milestones have not only broken barriers but also set a new tone in the sport, showing that the lines between the men’s and women’s divisions are beginning to blur.
Her presence in the men’s events has already shifted momentum. At PC11, her performance reached new heights when she beat former world champions Rob Cross and Gary Anderson. In the final against Michael Smith, she won an intense 8-7 match with a 142 checkout in the deciding leg, showing her ability to perform under the highest pressure. These results highlight her readiness for the next step in her career.
The cost of a new direction
Nic Gayer, co-host of the DartsNews Podcast, sees the move as inevitable. 'Darts moves quickly, everything can change,' he said. 'She has proven she’s good enough to win titles. She is capable of making the top 32 and keeping her Tour Card.' Gayer believes that Greaves has already demonstrated what was once questioned. Her success on the ProTour and European Tour has made it clear that the men’s side is the next chapter for her. Her absence from the women’s circuit, while a loss for the competitive balance there, opens the door for new players to rise.
Kieran Wood, co-host with Gayer, added, 'She is too good for the women’s game now.' The statement hangs in the air. For years, Greaves has been the standard in the women’s division. Her absence would shift the entire landscape, creating a vacuum in terms of quality and consistency. Yet, for her, the move is necessary. She has long outgrown the limitations of the women’s competition.
Greaves spoke to DartsNews after her win. 'I felt a bit deflated after the last Women’s Series,' she said. 'I just felt like everybody wanted me to lose. So I thought, maybe I should just focus on playing better darts and my ranking.' Her words reveal the emotional and psychological toll of competing in a division where her dominance is both an asset and a challenge.
She continued, 'The ladies’ game gets a bit stale for everybody. Once you’re at the top, there’s nothing else to go towards.' That’s the crux. For her, the men’s side is where the new targets, the new challenges, and the new stakes live. Her shift in focus is not just a personal ambition but a reflection of her readiness to test her skills in a more competitive arena. Only a few years ago, she needed convincing to take part in the PDC World Championship. Now, she is at a stage where she wants to leave the women’s game behind and concentrate solely on the open circuit.
In December, she competed in the PDC World Championship, pushing seed Daryl Gurney into a deciding set. Her performance in that match—outscored in averages, maximums, and legs won—showed her potential in the men’s division. Her first Tour Card season has proven that her ambitions can be realized. She has qualified for the Hungarian Darts Trophy and Czech Darts Open, further cementing her presence in the PDC.
Her decision to focus on the men’s side represents a major shift in darts and for her career. The young woman who once needed convincing to take her place on the PDC circuit is now ready to fully commit to it. As Gayer noted, something has shifted in her mindset. She is no longer looking back. Instead, she is forging ahead, and for her, the future lies in the challenges of the men’s division. Whether or not she stays there long term remains to be seen, but for now, her path is clear.