Scott Williams provided the highlight of the 26th Players Championship on Wednesday in Hildesheim, throwing a 9-darter in the very first round against Callan Rydz. The performance was particularly notable for its finish: after two 180s, the Englishman closed out 141 with a triple 16, triple 19 and double 18 – a much less conventional route than the usual triple 20, triple 19 and double 12.
It wasn’t a final, nor even the result that would define the entire ProTour day. But for a Players Championship session, this sort of sequence instantly raises the excitement level. The official PDC account posted the clip straight away, highlighting “Shaggy’s” route and Williams’ almost impassive reaction after the final dart. Put another way: the finish was clean enough to speak for itself.
SHAGGY PINS THE NINE 🤩
Scott Williams throws a nine-darter with his trademark route in his first-round match against Callan Rydz in Hildesheim 🔥
Just a shrug from Shaggy 🤣🤷♂️
📺https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #PC26 pic.twitter.com/3LMjGeWicc
A 141 like no other
The basics of a nine-darter remain the same: seven perfect darts to set up the chance, then two final darts under pressure. Here, the interesting detail comes at the checkout. On 141, many players look for a more standard route. Williams, however, took triple 16, then triple 19, before closing out on double 18. This isn’t just a flourish. It’s a route he embraces, one he spots quickly, and which suits his nickname as well as his style.
DartsNews points out that Williams and Rydz were tied at 3–3 after six legs when this sequence took place. That’s also what makes the moment all the more thrilling: this wasn’t an isolated, low-pressure leg, but part of a match that was still neck and neck. Williams hit two 180s, then chose his finish without losing his focus.
Why this moment matters on the ProTour
The ProTour produces a lot of scores, averages and results that come and go very quickly. A 9-darter, however, leaves a much clearer mark. It doesn’t always predict who will win the tournament, but it says something about the standard on display at that precise moment. On a day like this, with matches coming thick and fast and little time to catch your breath, achieving a perfect leg requires flawless execution.
The timing also makes the story more interesting for us. The day before, Henry Coates had caused a surprise at the Players Championship 25, winning a PDC title without a Tour Card. The double-header in Hildesheim already had its own story. With Williams, the Players Championship 26 adds a very different dimension: less a breakthrough in the rankings than a moment of pure skill, instantly shareable.
| Player | Scott Williams |
| Opponent | Callan Rydz |
| Tournament | Players Championship 26 |
| Venue | Hildesheim, Germany |
| 9-darter checkout | 141: T16, T19, D18 |
A highlight, not a definitive conclusion
We must keep things in perspective. A 9-darter alone does not change the narrative of a season. It is no substitute for a title, a final or a run of strong results. But on a day at the Players Championship, it can become the moment everyone keeps rewatching, especially when it comes about in such a personal way.
For Williams, it’s exactly the sort of sequence that reminds us why he remains a class of his own on the PDC circuit. He may go through inconsistent spells, but when his arm is on form and his confidence follows, he retains that ability to produce a memorable moment. On Wednesday, at PC26, the picture was clear: two 180s, an unexpected 141, and that little shrug of the shoulders that says it all.
