A Rising Force in Professional Darts
Eleven-time TV major winner James Wade has issued a strong endorsement of Beau Greaves, asserting that the Women’s World Matchplay champion possesses the ability to regularly defeat male counterparts in professional competition. Speaking ahead of the New Zealand Masters in Auckland, Wade highlighted Greaves’ technical proficiency and mental resilience as factors that set her apart in the sport.
Wade, 43, recalled a previous encounter with Greaves, noting the high level of pressure he felt during their match. “I don’t know what Beau does. Beau is better than most men,” Wade stated. “She is the real deal. She can average a hundred easy. She’ll win more. She’ll probably upset lots of other male players because she’s that good.”
Performance Under Pressure
The veteran player emphasized that Greaves’ performance is not merely a product of hype, but of sustained high-level output. Reflecting on his own experience, Wade noted, “I’m lucky I’ve only played her once and I averaged something like 115, which is really unusual for me. I was so nervous to play her. I played her like that and she was with me all way.”
Greaves recently made history by becoming the first woman to hit a nine-darter on the PDC ProTour, a milestone that underscores her standing as a top-tier competitor. Her success at the 2026 Women’s World Matchplay further solidified her reputation as a dominant force. Wade believes this trajectory is significant for the sport, suggesting that Greaves should be “paraded around” as a testament to the evolving standards of professional darts.
Impact on the Circuit
The discussion surrounding Greaves comes at a time when the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is navigating the integration of top female talent into broader televised events. While Greaves has achieved historic success, she has also been open about the psychological challenges of high-level competition, including the feeling that, at times, external pressure mounts against her. Wade’s public support, however, frames her presence as a legitimate threat to established hierarchies, signaling that the gap between elite male and female performance is narrowing at the highest levels of the game.