'My daughter's pub childhood made her a darts champ'

The father of the first woman to receive a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) ranking has spoken of his pride at her achievement.

Beau Greaves, 22, became the first female to win a PDC title when she defeated Michael Smith 8-7 in the Players Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes on Monday.

The Doncaster darts sensation began her career aged 11 under the captaincy of her dad Dave at the Little Plough pub in the city centre.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "She's played all the top players and she's beat most of them. She beat Luke Littler not long ago and he's the best thing since sliced bread."

He said she showed an aptitude for the game from a young age and the family knew she had a career beckoning in the sport.

"We thought it was going to happen but we didn't think it would happen this quickly," he said.

"Her brother was a brilliant chucker, she started watching him and she just picked it up and she was instantly good, you could see.

"My son said to me, 'Dad you've got to watch her, she's unreal', so I did and he was right."

Beau started playing for the Yorkshire youth team before graduating to the senior side aged 13.

"She's capable of beating anybody, without a doubt," said Dave.

"She's the best lady player there's ever been. They all fear her, they all know how good she is and they don't want to draw her."

He said the family reacted emotionally to her achievement after years of travelling to darts competitions around the country.

"She cried her eyes out. She was overjoyed. We were crying. It gets you doesn't it. It's your kids," he said.

"It's time consuming and it's expensive to get about but it's all been worth it in the end."

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