Fallon Sherrock Beats Luke Littler to Win £501,000
In a one-leg darts showdown shown on Netflix, amateur Fallon Sherrock won in 15 darts after Littler had beaten 14 other challengers.
Fallon Sherrock beat world champion Luke Littler in a single leg of darts on Friday and won £501,000.
The event, called Beat Luke Littler, was shown live around the world on Netflix from Manchester Central. Amateur players took turns against the world number one in one-leg face-offs. Entrants could not be members of the PDC Tour, which let Sherrock compete.
Her place in the field drew criticism online, even though she is an amateur. Sherrock told the Press Association she had never held a tour card and did not see herself as a pro. PDC president Barry Hearn defended her inclusion, since she holds no card.
How the final leg went
Littler had beaten 14 challengers, some as young as 14. Sherrock, 32, was the 15th. She was closest to the bull and threw first. She hit a 180, only the third maximum of the night, and then took out double 20 to finish.
Her win came in 15 darts. It ended the event at once, so the five remaining amateurs never got their turn.
Sherrock said: "It's insane, I can't put it into words of what it means, especially having Rory here - it's his first time at anything and he has seen me win." Her son Rory was in the crowd. "Give me an opportunity and I will take it every time. I'm really proud of myself, I rise to the occasion," she added.
Littler, 19, who has won the PDC World Championship in each of the past two years, said: "Brilliant, that's what one person had to do - win the bull and go out in 15 [darts] and that's what she did, world class."
Who took part
Sherrock became the first woman to beat a man at the PDC World Championship when she reached the last 32 in December 2019. She has won 21 times on the PDC Women's Series and was awarded an MBE in 2023.
About 25,000 people applied. Hopefuls first had to get down from 501 in 24 darts or fewer. Those who managed it faced an interview panel that included 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, PDC president Barry Hearn and pundit Laura Turner. Sixteen players were chosen outright. The eight most experienced were paired off, and Netflix viewers voted on who would play. Sherrock took 75% of the vote against Germany's Jarod Becker.
Ireland's Pearse Mackle, a 21-year-old university student from County Cavan, was the eighth competitor. He plays on the PDC Development Tour. He was the only other player to cause Littler real concern, missing the winning bullseye and hitting the nine instead.
Gary Lineker hosted. Lee Mack and Richard Osman joined Turner on the punditry team. Hearn came back on stage to present Sherrock with a giant cheque.
Source: BBC Sport