British darts icon, 60, hits nine-darter just days after his birthday in epic scenes

Darts legend Steve Beaton hit a perfect nine-dart leg just days after turning 60 in an epic moment at Players Championship 7. Beaton is playing in what he expects to be his final season on the professional tour.

The veteran was defeated 6-3 by World No 91 James Hurrell but the event will be remembered for his incredible nine-darter. Beaton, who turned 60 on April 5, struck just the fourth nine-darter of his career and his first since 2019.

A WDF world champion in 1996, Beaton was trailing Hurrell 3-1 when he secured his big moment. He started the fifth leg with successive 180 finishes.

Beaton, who has had three last-16 finishes at the PDC World Championships, rounded off the leg with a 141 finish as he rolled back the years. He then used the momentum to bring the score level at 3-3.

However, Hurrell regained his composure and won three consecutive legs to complete the victory. Beaton has said that this will be his final year on the professional tour.

He will retire to spend more time with his family, saying that the rigours of the pro game are better suited to the younger generation. "I think next year will definitely be my last," Beaton said last December.

"However this tournament goes, I'm 60 next year and it's a gruelling circuit, the Pro Tour. I've been married 30 years and my wife hardly sees me. I'm only home for half the year.

"People don't seem to understand how much you have to do, really, to carry on with the darts, it's great if you are a youngster now.