Damon Heta sent Alexandra Palace into disaster on Friday afternoon after he struck a spectacular nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.
The sensational moment came throughout his second-round clash against English gamer Luke Woodhouse.
But the Australian couldn't 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 win ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his legendary nine-dart task.
For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out an overall of ₤ 180k for every nine-darter scored throughout the competition, with the funds to be split 3 ways.
The gamer who throws the best leg will receive ₤ 60k, a lucky fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise 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 competition.
A fan in the audience who was using a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed blazer was picked as the fortunate winner of the big money reward.
Damon Heta struck a marvelous 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 roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024
The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the ideal leg, with Paddy Power also 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 male that checked out renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the legendary darts analyst had said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.
Paddy Power are also donating ₤ 1,000 for every single 180 thrown throughout this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 campaign.
Heta's perfect leg was the second nine-dart finish at the tournament. As of 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 inadequately versus Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the first set, being broken by his opponent in the last leg of the first set.
He hit back in the 2nd term with an impressive passage of play, racking off 2 180s and the last 141 in design.
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The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped around the stage in jubilation and at one point even appeared to leap off the phase.
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His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as excited as Heta did, leaping up and down on the phase before showing his class, offering the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to commemorate the astonishing task.
The Brit, 36, has actually been hailed for his response to the minute online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'
Paddy Power later revealed the gentleman who had won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot
The moment among the audience found out they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln
- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024
Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) accepted on phase after the impressive minute
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After Heta had actually gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart surface saw him get better versus his British challenger to draw level at 1-1
'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's truly buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and excitement!' 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.
'The friendship in darts is unbelievable. Just look at the method Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter previously,' another stated.
After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the astonishing moment that saw his good buddy Heta stroll away with ₤ 60k.
'Me and Damo are buddies,' he told 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 first video game.
'So, yeah, when he struck 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 mind-blowing finish, the Australian, who comes from Perth, leapt off the phase in elation
Woodhouse was praised for his reaction to his opponent's nine-dart surface, with some lauding his 'sportsmanship'
Heta would go on to control in the 3rd set, winning 3-2 and again dominating the fourth, breaking his opponent two times.
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 worldwide, recovered, winning all three last sets to turn things around on his challenger and progress through to the next round.
A visibly psychological Woodhouse said after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'
'It's not simply me it's my spouse, my family and my young boy. So [I'm doing] truly excellent.'
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Aussie Darts Star Damon Heta Hits a NINE DARTER At Alexandra Palaec
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