Daryl Gurney Faces Rising Star Beau Greaves in PDC Showdown

The stage is set for a captivating encounter as Daryl Gurney prepares to face Beau Greaves in the first round of the PDC World Darts Championship. The draw, held on Monday, revealed this intriguing match-up, highlighting Greaves as one of the sport’s most promising talents.

Gurney, a seasoned competitor from Northern Ireland, is seeded 22 in the tournament and has reached the quarter-finals twice at Alexandra Palace. His opponent, the 21-year-old Englishwoman Greaves, has made headlines this year by defeating world number one Luke Littler and reaching the final of the PDC World Youth Championship. Greaves has established herself as a dominant force on the women’s tour, securing an impressive total of 44 titles, including 16 in the calendar year of 2025 alone.

Littler, the reigning champion, will commence his title defense against Lithuanian Darius Labanauskas. Since claiming the championship last year, the 18-year-old sensation has added victories in prestigious tournaments such as the UK Open and the Grand Slam of Darts to his résumé, propelling him to the top of the world rankings.

The tournament will also feature Antrim’s Josh Rock, who is seeded 11th after a strong season. Rock, aged 24, will face two-time PDC Women’s Series winner Gemma Hayter in his opening match. Rock’s previous best performance at Alexandra Palace was reaching the last 16 in 2023.

In another notable match, Steve Lennon from Carlow will compete against Australian Damon Heta. Lennon, aged 31, achieved his best result at Alexandra Palace in 2022, reaching the last 32. Similarly, Meath’s Keane Barry, 23, will face another Australian, Tim Pusey. Barry, participating in his seventh World Championship, has yet to advance beyond the second round.

Limerick’s William O’Connor will also be a key player, marking his ninth appearance in the championship against Polish qualifier Krzysztof Kciuk. Brendan Dolan from Fermanagh, a two-time quarter-finalist, is set to meet English qualifier Tavis Dudeney.

Among the tournament favorites, Luke Humphries will compete against Ted Evetts, while Michael van Gerwen kicks off his campaign against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami. The action at Alexandra Palace in London is scheduled to begin on December 11, 2026, culminating in the final on January 3, 2027.

The complete list of first-round matchups showcases the depth and talent in this year’s tournament. The excitement is palpable as fans look forward to witnessing some of the best players in the world battle for darts supremacy.