Who Had the First Televised 9 Dart Finish in Darts?
The nine-dart finish is the holy grail of darts, a perfect leg achieved with the minimum number of throws. But who was the first to accomplish this feat on television, etching their name into darts history? While many associate Phil Taylor with televised nine-darters, the true pioneer is John Lowe.
John Lowe achieved the first televised nine-dart finish on October 13, 1984, during the MFI World Matchplay quarter-final. This historic moment occurred at the Fulcrum Centre in Slough, with Keith Deller as his opponent. Lowe’s perfect leg, consisting of 180, 180, 141 (T20, T17, D18), earned him a staggering £102,000 and solidified his place in darts legend.
Before the Televised Era: Early Nine-Darters
While Lowe holds the distinction of the first televised nine-dart finish, earlier instances of this remarkable feat occurred away from the cameras. Albert Gamble achieved a perfect game in 1976 at the Finger Post pub in Stockport, England. However, due to insufficient documentation, Guinness World Records did not recognize this achievement. Frank Reader accomplished a nine-darter in 1981 at the East Grinstead Open Singles, marking the second recorded instance.
The First Live Televised Nine-Dart Finish
While John Lowe’s achievement was broadcast on television, it wasn’t live. The distinction of the first live televised nine-dart finish belongs to Shaun Greatbatch. On February 3, 2002, during the Dutch Open final against Steve Coote, Greatbatch achieved perfection at the Koningshof Hotel in Veldhoven, Netherlands. This historic moment was broadcast live on Dutch television station SBS6.
Other Notable Televised Nine-Darters
Phil Taylor, often associated with the nine-dart finish, achieved his first televised perfect leg in 2002 at the World Matchplay. While not the first, Taylor’s achievement contributed significantly to popularizing the nine-darter and earned him a £100,000 bonus.
Paul Lim holds the honor of throwing the first nine-dart finish at the World Championships. He achieved this feat in 1990 at the Embassy World Professional Darts Championship during his second-round match against Jack McKenna. This landmark achievement earned him £52,000.
A Milestone in Darts History
The televised nine-dart finish has become a defining moment in darts, showcasing the skill and precision required to achieve perfection. While numerous players have accomplished this feat since, John Lowe’s pioneering achievement in 1984 remains a landmark moment in the history of the sport. Shaun Greatbatch’s later live televised perfect leg further cemented the nine-darter as a captivating spectacle for darts enthusiasts worldwide.
