Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into crisis on Friday afternoon after he struck a sensational nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
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The stunning moment came during his second-round clash versus English player Luke Woodhouse.
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But the Australian could not ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse returning 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 career.

Despite the defeat, Heta will walk away with ₤ 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 tournament, with the funds to be split three ways.

The player who throws the best leg will get ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the sports betting business are also set to donate ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the official Charity partner of the competition.

A fan in the audience who was using a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed sports betting jacket was selected as the fortunate winner of the huge money reward.

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

HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the competition 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 been seen holding an indication behind the guy that read 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 every 180 thrown throughout this Year’s champion as part of their Bigger180 project.

Heta’s ideal leg was the 2nd nine-dart finish at the competition. 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 started badly versus Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the very first set, being broken by his challenger in the last leg of the very first set.

He hit back in the 2nd term with an outstanding passage of play, racking off two 180s and the final 141 in style.

The 37-year-old Australian, who comes from Perth, jumped around the stage in festivity and at one point even appeared to jump off the stage.

His challenger, Woodhouse, looked just as thrilled 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 celebrate the mind-blowing accomplishment.

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

Paddy Power later on exposed 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 (right) embraced on stage after the impressive minute

After Heta had gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart surface saw him get better versus his British opponent to draw level at 1-1

‘Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he’s really buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and excitement!’ 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 fantastic,’ one wrote.

‘The camaraderie in darts is incredible. Just take a look at the method Luke Woodhouse, celebrated his challenger’s nine-darter earlier,’ another stated.

After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the spectacular moment that saw his excellent friend Heta leave with ₤ 60k.

‘Me and Damo are good friends,’ 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 hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.

‘You couldn’t not celebrate with him!’

Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV

- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024

Elated by the sensational finish, the Australian, who comes from Perth, jumped off the phase in elation

Woodhouse was praised for his response 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 controling the 4th, breaking his challenger twice.

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

A visibly emotional Woodhouse said after the match: ‘I’m over the moon.’

‘It’s not just me it’s my partner, my family and my kid. So [I’m doing] truly great.’
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