Beau Greaves on the Brink of PDC Ban: What Happens If She Accepts Tour Card After Beating Littler?
Beau Greaves, the 21-year-old Doncaster darts prodigy and women’s world No. 1, is facing a potential immediate ban from PDC events if she accepts her automatic Tour Card for the 2026-27 season—earned by finishing as runner-up in the 2025 PDC Development Tour rankings—following her stunning 6-5 semifinal victory over reigning PDC World Champion Luke Littler at the PDC Winmau World Youth Championship qualifier on October 13. Greaves, who became the first woman to reach the Youth Championship final with an 80 checkout in the decider, will face defending champion Gian van Veen in Minehead on November 23. However, PDC rules prohibit players from competing in both the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace and the WDF Women’s World Championship, where Greaves is the three-time reigning titleholder (2022-24). This conflict has already seen her decline Ally Pally invitations twice, and accepting the Tour Card could force her to choose between the men’s Worlds and defending her WDF crown, effectively “banning” her from one.
The Upset Victory: Greaves’ Landmark Win Over Littler
Greaves’ triumph over Littler was a darts masterclass, with the women’s star averaging 105 to the 18-year-old’s blistering 107.4. Littler, eligible for the youth event until age 23 and fresh off his £120,000 World Grand Prix title over Humphries, survived match darts in a 6-5 last-16 scare against Charlie Manby before cruising 6-1 past Jamai van den Herik in the quarters. Against Greaves, he opened a 4-2 lead, landing two 10-dart legs and missing double 12 for a nine-darter in leg four. But the two-time Women’s World Matchplay champion rallied, winning the final three legs with an 11-dart break and 80 finish (T20, D10) to advance.
“Luke’s a legend—massive respect for that game,” Greaves told Sky Sports, her win marking the first time a woman has defeated a reigning PDC world champion in a competitive match. Littler, gracious in defeat, posted on Instagram: “I had 2 10 dart legs missed d12 for a nine and still couldn’t win. Fair play to @beau_greaves all the best in Minehead. Some talent.” Greaves, who has won 58 straight PDC Women’s Series matches and nine successive events, now eyes a Youth title that would add to her WDF hat-trick (2022-24) and multiple Australian Open/Dutch Open majors.
The Tour Card Dilemma: Immediate Ban Risk
Greaves’ Development Tour runner-up finish automatically qualifies her for a two-year PDC Tour Card for 2026-27, granting entry to every Players Championship and European Tour event. However, PDC rules explicitly state that Tour Card holders must prioritize the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (December 15, 2025-January 3, 2026), barring participation in conflicting WDF events like the Women’s Worlds (December 29, 2025-January 5, 2026). Greaves has twice declined Ally Pally invites (2022, 2023) to defend her WDF crown, citing: “I don’t want to miss retaining the ladies’ title.”
Accepting the Tour Card would trigger an “immediate ban” from WDF events, including the Women’s Worlds, per PDC policy: “Any player who earns a Tour Card is under no obligation to accept it, but if they do, they commit to PDC priorities.” This forces Greaves to choose: PDC Pro Tour (34 Players Championships, 13 European Tours) and potential Ally Pally debut, or staying WDF-focused to chase a fourth Women’s Worlds. “It’s a tough call—PDC opens doors, but WDF’s my home,” Greaves told Sky Sports in October 2024.
| Option | Pros | Cons | Impact |
|——–|——|——|——–|
| Accept Tour Card | PDC Pro Tour access; Ally Pally potential; £125k+ events | Ban from WDF Women’s Worlds; Mixed-gender pressure | Full PDC integration; No WDF majors |
| Decline Tour Card | Retain WDF Women’s Worlds eligibility; Focus on ladies’ series | Miss Pro Tour; Limited exposure vs. men | WDF dominance; Separate women’s path |
Greaves’ Rise: From Junior Star to PDC Pioneer
Greaves, nicknamed “Beau ‘n’ Arrow,” has dominated women’s darts since age 16, winning 58 straight PDC Women’s Series matches and nine events. Her 2024 Women’s World Matchplay title and UK Open third-round run (beating three men) sparked a 20% rise in female junior sign-ups. Born the youngest of six in Doncaster, she trains with brother Tyler, who joined her at 2025 Q-School. “I’ve always dreamed of PDC, but the ban risk is real,” Greaves said pre-qualifier.
Her Littler win—first woman to beat a PDC world champion competitively—amplifies the dilemma. Littler, averaging 107.4 with two 10-darters, called her “some talent,” shutting down a troll’s sexist slur with “Fair play to Beau.” Greaves advances to van Veen in Minehead, sandwiched between Players Championship Finals semis and final.
Reactions: Debate on Inclusivity and Choice
Social media buzzed under #GreavesBan: “PDC Tour Card or WDF Worlds? Beau’s win over Littler says go big!” (250k likes). Fallon Sherrock backed her: “Beau’s ready for PDC—rules need updating for women.” Barry Hearn noted: “No obligation to accept—her choice.” As Greaves weighs the ban risk, her Littler upset isn’t just a win—it’s a crossroads for women’s darts. The arrow’s aimed; the target? History.
