BUNTING BACKS GREAVES TO WIN MAJOR TITLES

STEPHEN BUNTING reckons the world is Beau Greaves’ ‘lobster’ after she fired herself into the history books.

The Doncaster thrower became the first female player to win a PDC ProTour title after edging out Michael Smith 8-7 in a thrilling Players Championship 11 final to pocket the £15,000 top prize.

The women’s world No.1 sealed victory with a stunning 142 checkout in the decider, sending shockwaves through the darts world and underlining her status as a serious force on the tour. 

Bunting was quick to hail the scale of her achievement and the rapid rise she has enjoyed since securing her Tour Card. 

He told Oche180: “It’s amazing and it’s a massive achievement to just win your Tour Card anyway. 

“She absolutely smashed it, didn’t she? Look at her now, she even said in her own words she didn’t think she was good enough to win ProTours. 

“She’s absolutely proved herself so far. I think she will only go from strength to strength now.

“The confidence she will get from doing that and I think now we are all in trouble, to be honest.

“Hopefully I don’t draw her in too many first-round games.” 

The Bullet believes Greaves has all the tools needed to go even further and lift a major title in the sport. 

He added: “Yeah, of course she can. She has got that ceiling averaging over 100. She is very dangerous and her finishing is very good as well. 

“You saw the 142 she took out to beat Michael [Smith]. You can see as soon as the first treble 20 went in, Michael knew. 

“She has got everything in the game that she needs. The composure as well to win at certain times. 

“To win that tournament with the 142, the way she did it, the world is her lobster.” 

Bunting currently sits seventh in the Premier League table despite winning Night Four of the competition. 

The Liverpudlian has suffered back-to-back quarter-final exits and now finds himself seven points adrift of the play-off places heading into Night 13 in Aberdeen, where a showdown with Gerwyn Price awaits. 

Bunting knows he must put his foot on the gas if he is to keep his Finals Night hopes alive. 

He continued: “There are four nights left and I need to win a minimum of two. So, I have set my sights really high. I want to finish on a bit of a bang, to be honest. 

“Hopefully I can start it in Aberdeen. I know what I need to do. I played Gerwyn Price here last year and I was able to win. 

“Let’s start with that game and not look too far forward. It’s all eyes on Price, to be honest. Hopefully I can produce the goods and have a really good night tomorrow.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.