We rank the top 10 most shocking darts major winners in PDC history.
For over 30 years, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has been dominated by legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson.
However, every once in a while, the script is torn up, and a player comes from nowhere to claim a major title.
These shock victories have provided some of the most unforgettable moments in darts history.
Here, we rank the ten most surprising major winners in PDC history — those players who defied expectations and etched their names in the record books.
Most Shocking Darts Major Winners
10. Mensur Suljovic – 2017 Champions League of Darts
Known for his unorthodox style, Suljovic is a solid player but rarely considered a title threat. In the 2017 Champions League of Darts, he stunned the field by defeating elite players such as Gary Anderson (twice), Peter Wright, and Raymond van Barneveld. His incredible composure in the final sealed his shock victory over Anderson 11-9.
9. Kevin Painter – 2011 Players Championship Finals
A nearly man of darts, Painter had been in the mix for years without a major breakthrough. That changed in 2011 when he defied expectations, taking down Gary Anderson and Mervyn King before defeating Mark Webster 13-9 in the final.
8. Ross Smith – 2022 European Championship
Before this tournament, Smith had never progressed beyond the last 16 of a major. Despite that, he stormed through a brutal draw, taking down Dimitri van den Bergh, Peter Wright, and Michael Smith in the final. His 11-8 victory over Michael Smith sealed one of the biggest surprises in recent PDC history.
7. Roland Scholten – 2004 UK Open
In the midst of Phil Taylor’s dominance, it’s fair to say that Scholten’s triumph at the UK Open was wildly unexpected. The Dutchman benefited from Taylor’s quarterfinal exit, but he still had to overcome Steve Beaton and John Part to claim victory. Scholten had always been a solid competitor, but few expected him to break through on such a big stage.
6. Scott Waites – 2010 Grand Slam of Darts
A two-time BDO world champion, Waites was a quality player, but no BDO representative had ever lifted the Grand Slam trophy. Trailing James Wade 8-0 in the final, Waites pulled off one of the most astonishing comebacks in darts history to win 16-12. Many still debate whether Wade threw it away, but Waites’ place in history is secure.
5. Jose de Sousa – 2020 Grand Slam of Darts
De Sousa was a late bloomer, barely known on the PDC circuit before 2019. But in 2020, he shocked the world by winning the Grand Slam, taking out Michael Smith, Simon Whitlock, and James Wade. While he had been improving steadily and showing signs or real quality, few expected him to take a major title so soon.
4. Larry Butler – 1994 World Matchplay
The first and only American to win a PDC major, Butler’s triumph in the inaugural World Matchplay remains one of the sport’s biggest shocks. With an average of 92.7, Butler stunned Dennis Priestley 16-12 in the final, proving that even in the early years of the PDC, upsets were possible.
3. Richie Edhouse – 2024 European Championship
Richie Edhouse’s stunning triumph at the 2024 European Championship was a victory few saw coming. Facing fellow first-time finalist Jermaine Wattimena, Edhouse overcame early nerves to take control, breaking throw in the seventh leg and dominating the second session with a blistering 5-0 run. A sensational 144 checkout and a two-double-18 finish sealed an emphatic 11-3 win, crowning ‘Madhouse’ a major champion in one of the most shocking darts major winners.
2. Peter Evison – 1996 World Matchplay
There’s no doubt Evison had talent, but he was never considered among the elite. His biggest career moment came when he demolished Phil Taylor 8-1 in the second round, averaging nearly 104. He then kept his composure to beat Dennis Priestley 16-14 in the final, securing his first and only PDC major.
1. Andrew Gilding – 2023 UK Open
At 52 years old, Gilding’s fairytale run at the 2023 UK Open stunned the darts world. After years spent fighting to establish himself on the fringes of the PDC circuit, he delivered one of the PDC’s greatest upsets. With three-time world champion and overwhelming favorite Michael van Gerwen leading 9-6 and 10-9 in the final, Gilding looked finished. But ‘Goldfinger’ held his nerve, hitting a double 20 to complete a remarkable underdog story and become the oldest first-time major winner in PDC history.
