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

The sensational minute came during his second-round clash versus English gamer Luke Woodhouse.

But the Australian couldn't ride his momentum, with British darts star, Woodhouse returning from going 3-1 down to clinch nine straight legs of darts and advance to the last 16 at the World Darts Championships for the very first time in his profession.

Despite the defeat, Heta will win ₤ 60k in his pocket, following his legendary nine-dart accomplishment.

For this year's PDC World Darts Championship, Paddy Power are paying out a total of ₤ 180k for each nine-darter scored during the tournament, with the funds to be split three ways.

The gamer who throws the perfect leg will get ₤ 60k, a fortunate fan at Alexandra Palace will likewise be handed a ₤ 60k cheque, while the sports betting company are also set to contribute ₤ 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 selected as the lucky winner of the substantial money prize.

Damon Heta struck a spectacular nine-dart surface on Friday afternoon at Alexandra Palace

HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Damon Heta lands the 2nd nine-darter of the competition to raise the roofing at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez

- PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024

The World No 9 won himself ₤ 60k with the ideal leg, with Paddy Power likewise now set to donate 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 iconic 'I can't spake' line, which the legendary darts commentator had said following Michael Smith's nine-darter at the 2023 World Championships.

Paddy Power are also donating ₤ 1,000 for each 180 tossed throughout this Year's champion as part of their Bigger180 campaign.

Heta's best leg was the 2nd nine-dart finish at the tournament. Since today, Paddy Power had raised over ₤ 500,000 for charity with 462 180s having actually been struck at the competition prior to the start of this afternoon's session.
bet9ja.com
The Australian started badly against Woodhouse, with Heta yielding the very first set, being broken by his challenger in the final leg of the very first set.

He countered in the 2nd term with an exceptional passage of play, racking off two 180s and the final 141 in style.
bit.ly
The 37-year-old Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped around the phase in jubilation and at one point even appeared to jump off the stage.

His challenger, Woodhouse, looked just as delighted as Heta did, jumping up and down on the phase before showing his class, offering the Aussie star a hug and raising his hand in the air to celebrate the spectacular accomplishment.

The Brit, 36, has actually 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 on revealed the gentleman who had actually won the ₤ 60,000 reward pot

The moment one of 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) embraced on phase after the legendary minute

After Heta had gone a set down in the very first exchange, his nine-dart surface saw him recover against his British challenger to draw level at 1-1

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

'The method Luke Woodhousecelebrates Damon Heta's nine-darter and raises his hand afterwards is what makes this sport so terrific,' one composed.

in darts is amazing. Just take a look at the way Luke Woodhouse, commemorated his challenger's nine-darter earlier,' another said.

After the match, Woodhouse assessed the marvelous minute that saw his buddy Heta win ₤ 60k.

'Me and Damo are great pals,' 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 first game.

'So, yeah, when he hit that nine-darter the crowd went wild.

'You couldn't not celebrate with him!'
bit.ly
Luke Woodhouse pic.twitter.com/Oza4ZK63yV

- Martin (@martin_kcr) December 27, 2024

Elated by the mind-blowing surface, the Australian, who hails from Perth, jumped off the phase in elation

Woodhouse was applauded for his reaction to his opponent's nine-dart surface, with some admiring his 'sportsmanship'

Heta would go on to control in the 3rd set, winning 3-2 and once again controling the fourth, breaking his challenger twice.
bet9ja.com
But Woodhouse, who is ranked No 35 on the planet, bounced back, winning all 3 final sets to turn things around on his opponent and progress through to the next round.
bit.ly
A noticeably emotional Woodhouse stated after the match: 'I'm over the moon.'

'It's not just me it's my spouse, my family and my boy. So [I'm doing] actually good.'
bit.ly