In the quarterfinals of the Players Championship Finals, Chris Dobey faced off against rising star Luke Littler.
“Hollywood,” as Dobey is nicknamed, had the opportunity to throw a perfect 9-darter, but what nearly happened on that stage was even more extraordinary than a flawless leg, as captured in these remarkable footage.
Chris Dobey nearly busted on a 9-darter
DOBEY SO CLOSE TO A NINE 😩
Chris Dobey hits eight perfect darts – and then misses double 18 by some distance – before sweeping the leg in 11 darts! Luke Littler still leads 3-2 👀
📺 https://t.co/SPmnf5bJYj#PCFinals | QF pic.twitter.com/3qOs98KcSL
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 23, 2025
In fact, what Dobey almost achieved has never been seen on camera before in the history of professional darts. Had it succeeded, he would have been the first player ever to pull off such a feat—a distinction that, paradoxically, he likely would not have wanted, as it is the kind of record no one desires. It would have made him throw the impossible average of 173,00…
It brings to mind another historic moment in darts. In nearly 90 years of televised darts, one player managed a feat never before repeated: hitting the shaft of his first dart with his second, and then striking the shaft of the second dart with his third—a double “Robin Hood” that has only been replicated once.
VIDEO: Only The Second Time In Darts History This Was Caught On Tape
Dobey came astonishingly close to creating a similar, unprecedented moment. Even Littler paused to witness the spectacle up close, as he too had never encountered anything like it.
Despite this near-historic event, Dobey’s journey ended in the quarterfinals. Littler proved too strong, defeating the Englishman 10-5. The 18-year-old produced an impressive average of 107.88, while Dobey was by no means far behind with 104.57.
Littler showed no signs of slowing down. In the semifinals against Gerwyn Price, he elevated his performance even further, averaging 108.48. Price, with a solid 101.99, was unable to keep pace, and Littler secured an 11-8 victory.
In the final, Littler faced Nathan Aspinall. Maintaining an average of 103.33, he once again triumphed 11-8, claiming the title of the Players Championship Finals and solidifying his status as one of darts’ brightest young talents.