Dutch legend, Raymond van Barneveld has seen just about everything in darts – from beer-stained pub floors to packed arenas and confetti showers. But even the great man admits there’s something special about Beau Greaves, the 21-year-old prodigy currently turning the game on its head.
“She’s unbelievable,” Barney said this week. “An exceptional talent. The way she’s going, I wouldn’t be shocked to see her in the Premier League one day.”
Not bad praise from a man who’s shared the oche with Phil Taylor, beaten Michael van Gerwen, and inspired half of Holland to pick up a set of darts.
Greaves, long tipped as the next big thing in women’s darts, has spent the last couple of years steamrolling through the PDC Women’s Series – unbeaten streaks, sky-high averages, and a calmness that makes veterans twitch.
Next year, she steps up full-time after winning her Tour Card for 2026. And according to Barney, it’s about time.
“I played her recently,” he laughed. “People said, ‘you’ve got to play a woman.’ Yeah? So what? I just see a player – and she beat me 6–4. That’s all that matters.”
He’s not the only one to take a bruising from Beau. Earlier this year, she famously dumped World Champion Luke Littler out of the PDC World Youth Championship semi-final – sealing it with an 11-darter that most pros would frame if they hit it on TV.
“That told everyone what they needed to know,” Van Barneveld said. “You beat Luke Littler in the semis of a World Youth Championship with an 11-darter? You’re serious. And trust me, she’ll give the men nightmares next year – they hate losing to her.”
Barney reckons that resistance will fade once the lads realise what they’re up against. “I’ve heard it all – ‘Ray, aren’t you embarrassed losing to a woman?’” he grinned. “Try it yourself, mate. She beat Dennie Olde Kalter 6–0 with a 107 average right before playing me. Good luck matching that.”
Greaves will test her tungsten once again at this weekend’s Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, where she’s drawn in a group featuring Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Germany’s Niko Springer – no easy ride, but nothing she hasn’t handled before.
“She’s pure class,” said Barney. “She does her country proud, her family proud, and she’s not finished yet. If she has a good World Championship, don’t be shocked when you see her walking out to the Premier League stage next year. She’s that good.”
The old guard have been warned – Beau’s coming, and she’s not here to make up the numbers
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
