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Damon Heta sent out Alexandra Palace into crisis on Friday afternoon after he struck a sensational nine-dart surface setting off a ₤ 60,000 payout to a random fan in the crowd at the PDC World Darts Championship.

The stunning moment came during his second-round clash against English gamer Luke Woodhouse.

But the Australian could not ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse coming back from going 3-1 to clinch 9 straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his career.

Despite the defeat, Heta will leave with ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his epic nine-dart task.

For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying an overall of ₤ 180k for every nine-darter scored during the tournament, with the funds to be divided 3 ways.

The gamer who throws the perfect leg will receive ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will also be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the wagering business are also set to donate ₤ 60k to Prostate Cancer UK, the official Charity partner of the competition.

A fan in the audience who was using a yellow trilby hat and a Christamas-themed sports betting jacket was picked as the lucky winner of the huge prize money.

Damon Heta hit a marvelous nine-dart finish on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace

HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the competition to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez
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- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024

The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the ideal leg, with Paddy Power likewise now set to contribute another 60k to charity and to a random fan in the crowd at Ally Pally

Hilariously another fan had actually been seen holding an indication behind the man that read Wayne Mardle's renowned 'I can't spake' line, which the famous darts commentator had stated following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.

Paddy Power are also contributing ₤ 1,000 for each 180 thrown during this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 project.

Heta's best leg was the second nine-dart finish at the tournament. As of today, Paddy Power had raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having been struck at the tournament prior to the start of this afternoon's session.

The Australian started poorly against Woodhouse, with Heta conceding the first set, being broken by his challenger in the last leg of the very first set.

He countered in the second term with an impressive passage of play, racking off two 180s and the last 141 in design.

The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, leapt around the phase in jubilation and at one point even appeared to jump off the stage.

His opponent, Woodhouse, looked simply as delighted as Heta did, jumping up and down on the stage before showing his class, giving the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the spectacular accomplishment.

The Brit, 36, has been hailed for his response to the minute online, with one fan writing: 'Luke Woodhouse's event after Heta's nine-darter is class.'

Paddy Power later exposed the gentleman who had won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot

The moment among the audience discovered they were ₤ 60,000 richer pic.twitter.com/G0eYn9n2ln

- Sky sports betting Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 27, 2024

Heta (left) and Luke Woodhouse (best) accepted on phase after the legendary minute

After Heta had actually gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart finish saw him recuperate against his British opponent to draw level at 1-1

'Big props to Luke Woodhouse - he's genuinely buzzing for his mate! Love the sportsmanship and excitement!' another composed on X.

'The method Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand later on is what makes this sport so great,' one wrote.

'The sociability in darts is amazing. Just take a look at the way Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter earlier,' another stated.
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After the match, Woodhouse reviewed the spectacular moment that saw his great friend Heta walk away with ₤ 60k.

'Me and Damo are buddies,' he told Sky sports betting. 'We play golf together a lot. We hang out and practice a lot ...

'I know he was gutted when he missed his double twelve in the very first video game.

'So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.
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'You couldn't not commemorate with him!'

Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV

- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024

Elated by the finish, the Australian, who hails from Perth, leapt off the stage in elation

Woodhouse was praised for his response to his challenger's nine-dart surface, with some lauding his 'sportsmanship'

Heta would go on to dominate in the third set, winning 3-2 and once again dominating the fourth, breaking his opponent two times.

But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 worldwide, bounced back, winning all three final sets to turn things around on his opponent and development through to the next round.
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A visibly emotional Woodhouse stated after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'

'It's not just me it's my wife, my family and my kid. So [I'm doing] really good.'