Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ALEXANDRA PALACE — The famous London venue — affectionately termed "Ally Pally" — was the site of the 2022-23 World Darts Championship on Tuesday, where a round since called "the best leg of darts ever" was played between Michael van Gerwen and eventual champion Michael Smith.
THE BEST LEG OF ALL TIME! 🤯🔥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2023
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN MISSES D12 FOR A NINE-DARTER, AND THEN SMITH PINS A PERFECT LEG HIMSELF!
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS YOU'LL EVER SEE IN SPORT. pic.twitter.com/WyKWFcxq5V
Both players were perfect through their first eight darts, hitting nothing but triple 20s in an electric, surreal display of accuracy.
"This is insane!" the commentators said. "Come on now!"
Van Gerwen fell just short of a perfect "nine-darter" round when he overshot the double 12 on his ninth dart by mere centimeters. Smith stepped up and nailed all three shots, sealing his perfect leg with the double 12 his rival missed just seconds earlier.
"That is the most amazing leg of darts you will ever see!" the commentator said following Smith's finish. "I can't speak!"
The commentators may have been speechless, but the crowd at Ally Pally went berzerk with ear-shattering cheers. It was just the second nine-dart finish in a World Championship final — after Adrian Lewis in 2011 — and gave Smith the momentum to earn his first World Championship title.
Even famed, fictional soccer coach and darts aficionado Ted Lasso got in on the hype, replying with his token "Barbecue sauce" to the clip of Smith's perfect leg.
Barbecue sauce 🎯
— Ted Lasso (@TedLasso) January 4, 2023










