Archie Self becomes youngest player to hit televised nine-dart finish

Archie Self has become the youngest player ever to hit a televised nine-dart finish. The 16-year-old Englishman achieved the feat during the MODUS Super Series on Pluto TV during Champions Week.

The Nine-Dart Finish

Self delivered the perfect leg in the opening leg of his match against Danny Ayres in Portsmouth. To achieve the nine-darter, he hit 180-180-141 (T20, T19, D12).

According to DartsNews.com, Self had come close to a perfect leg several times over the previous two weeks but had always fallen short of the decisive darts. The MODUS Super Series organisers celebrated the achievement on social media, stating, “he 16 year old has threatened the 9 on multiple occasions in the last 2 weeks but he has finally hit it!!”

Commentator Paul Nicholson praised the achievement, stating, "He’s doing things that even Littler didn’t, Ludicrous."

Breaking the Record

Self's achievement breaks a record previously held by Luke Littler. Littler had held the record since January 2024, after achieving a nine-dart finish in the Bahrain Darts Masters two days before his 17th birthday. Self achieved his nine-darter just weeks before his 17th birthday.

While Mitchell Lawrie, aged 15, hit a nine-darter on the JDC Advanced Tour in early March this year, that instance was not on TV.

Career Background

Self, who is nicknamed 'The Archer', was born in Thatcham. He first picked up a dart at age six and was a 2024 WDF World Boys Youth Champion, having claimed the title at age 15.

His recent professional milestones include:

• Making his PDC Players Championship debut in August, where he drew Luke Littler in round one.
• Securing his first PDC ProTour win in September against Pero Ljubic with a 98+ average.
• Defeating Karel Sedlacek in the second round of the Players Championship with a 6-5 victory.
• Claiming his maiden PDC Development Tour title in October with a 5-2 victory over Sam Jackson in the final of Event 22, averaging 91.64.

Path to a PDC Tour Card

Self is currently working toward earning a PDC Tour Card. He is currently ninth in the Development Tour standings with £10,550 in prize money. The top two players at the end of the season earn a two-year Tour Card.

He is also fifth in the Challenge Tour standings after winning multiple titles in 2026 and clinching £9,500 in prize money. In the Challenge Tour, the top two players—currently Joe Hunt and Derek Coulson—earn a Tour Card, while the top three qualify for the World Darts Championship.

Having failed to gain entry through Q-School at the start of this year, Self has another opportunity in 2027. The players who finish in the top five of the Q-School final Order of Merit secure a Tour Card, as do the last two players standing in the Final Stage of both the UK and European Q-Schools.

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Sources

• oche180.com: Archie Self becomes youngest-ever to hit nine-darter on TV | Oche180
• dartsnews.com: 16-year-old Archie Self becomes youngest player to hit a televised nine-dart finish: "He’s doing things that even Littler didn’t, Ludicrous"
• sportbible.com: Darts wonderkid makes history after breaking stunning Luke Littler record

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.