The MODUS Super Series delivered one of its all-time great moments this afternoon, as Conan Whitehead nailed a perfect nine-dart leg – just seconds after James Richardson flirted with one himself.
It instantly brought back memories of that legendary leg at the 2023 PDC World Championship – you know the one. Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle was famously rendered speechless, ironically managing only, “I can’t spake… I can’t spake.”
Back then, both Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith kicked off with maximums. MVG came agonisingly close, missing the double for perfection, before Bullyboy stepped up and hit the nine. It became one of the most iconic legs in darts history – remembered as much for Mardle’s vocal implosion as the darts themselves.
Today’s effort didn’t take place on the Ally Pally stage, but the esteemed Live Lounge in Portsmouth more than delivered its own slice of magic.
James Ruthless Richardson, no stranger to nine-darters in MODUS events (having hit them against Richie Burnett and, even more poetically, his own son Josh in a last-leg decider), opened the leg with a 180. Series One champ Conan Whitehead promptly matched it. Then both repeated the feat – setting up the kind of darting drama you could bottle and sell as stress relief.
Richardson had first crack at what would be his hatrick, but his seventh dart strayed into the five segment – ending the attempt and leaving a finish of 136, which sadly doesn’t go in two darts unless you’re feeling truly mythical.
Enter Whitehead. You can guess the rest – otherwise, this would be a very pointless report. He cleaned up the nine with clinical brilliance, sending the Live Lounge into orbit. Shame it’s only full on Saturdays. But thanks to excellent broadcasting from PlutoTV, it allowed fans around the globe to revel in the moment.
Oh, and yes, Conan went on to win the match 4-3 – though it’s safe to say no one will remember the scoreline. This leg was the show.
—–ENDS—–
Images: MODUS
