Damon Heta sent Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a sensational nine-dart surface triggering a ₤ 60,000 payment to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The spectacular moment came throughout his second-round clash versus English player Luke Woodhouse.
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But the Australian couldn't ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 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 stroll away with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his impressive nine-dart task.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying a total of ₤ 180k for each nine-darter scored throughout the tournament, with the funds to be divided 3 methods.
The gamer who tosses the best leg will get ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise 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 competition.
A fan in the audience who was wearing a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed blazer was chosen as the fortunate winner of the huge prize money.
Damon Heta struck a sensational nine-dart finish 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 system 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 also now set to contribute 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 guy that checked out Wayne Mardle's iconic 'I can't spake' line, which the famous darts analyst had said 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.
Heta's perfect leg was the second nine-dart surface at the competition. As of this early morning, Paddy Power had 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 badly against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the first set, being broken by his challenger in the last leg of the first set.
He hit back in the second term with an outstanding passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the last 141 in style.
The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped around the phase in festivity and at one point even appeared to leap off the phase.
His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as delighted as Heta did, leaping up and down on the phase before revealing his class, providing the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to commemorate the spectacular accomplishment.
The Brit, 36, has been hailed for his to the moment online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's celebration 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 one of the audience discovered they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) welcomed on phase after the impressive moment
After Heta had gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him recover against 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 composed on X.
'The method Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand afterwards is what makes this sport so fantastic,' one composed.
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'The sociability in darts is unbelievable. Just take a look at the method Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another said.
After the match, Woodhouse assessed the astonishing minute that saw his great pal Heta win ₤ 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 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 sensational surface, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the phase in elation
Woodhouse was applauded for his reaction to his opponent'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 4th, breaking his challenger twice.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 worldwide, got better, winning all 3 last sets to turn things around on his challenger and development through to the next round.
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A noticeably emotional Woodhouse said after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not simply me it's my partner, my household and my kid. So [I'm doing] truly great.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
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