James Wade and Robert Thornton: Made history in 2014
James Wade and Robert Thornton: Made history in 2014

WATCH: All three nine-dart finishes in World Grand Prix history plus other memorable moments


Watch all three nine-dart finishes in the history of the World Grand Prix while we also bring you a couple of other memorable moments including Dennis Priestley's famous 125 checkout on the bullseye.

Nine-dart finishes are much harder to come by at the World Grand Prix due to the unique double-start format of the PDC's third-longest running major.

With the number of possible combinations limited, players have no option but to start or finish on the bullseye if they want to achieve the perfect leg.

There have only been three nine-darters since the inaugural stating of the tournament in 1998 and fans had to wait until 2011 to see the first when Brendan Dolan brought the Dublin crowd to its feet in his semi-final clash with James Wade.

Funnily enough it was Wade who repeated the feat three years later against Robert Thornton, who remarkably hit the third in the same match!

All three started with a score of 160 (opening on double 20), followed by 180 and finishing 161 with treble 20, treble 17, and bullseye.

Brendan Dolan's nine-darter v James Wade (2011)

RECORD-BREAKING NINE-DARTER! | Brendan Dolan v James Wade (Double-Start!)

The Northern Irishman's history-making efforts were certainly not in vain as he produced one of the - if not the best - performances of his life to defeat the then world number three James Wade 5-2 in the 2011 semi-finals.

Dolan, who would now be nicknamed 'The History Maker', went on to lose the final 6-3 against the legendary Phil Taylor but his efforts that week will live long in the memory.

James Wade & Robert Thornton both throw nine-darters (2014)

TWO NINE-DARTERS IN ONE MATCH | Wade and Thornton - 2014 World Grand Prix

In a match has gone down in darting folklore, James Wade threw the World Grand Prix's second ever nine-darter in the second leg of his second-round match with Robert Thornton.

However, quite incredibly the Scotsman responded with one of his own when leading 2-1 in sets, sending the crowd into bedlam! Both players subsequently bowed to one another but it was Wade who went on to triumph 3-2 after Thornton missed four match darts to win.

The Machine reached the final that year but lost 5-3 to Michael van Gerwen, who would lose his crown 12 months later to, you've guessed it, Thornton!

Dennis Priestley's 125 checkout on the bullseye (2009)

Dennis Priestley INCREDIBLE 125 Checkout - World Grand Prix Darts 2009

Exhibition darts or what?!

The popular Yorkshireman was unable to back this checkout up with a win as Kevin Painter defeated him 3-1 in the second round.

Mark Dudbridge's great escape (2007)

Mark Dudbridge Amazing Escape - World Grand Prix 2007

In the deciding leg of a second-round encounter in 2007, Mark Dudbridge had the advantage of throwing first but was heading out when he failed to hit a double in his opening three visits and by the time he finally got up and running with a 120, Andy Jenkins had already whittled his score down to 216.

A ton at his next visit didn't seem big enough, especially when his opponent responded to leave 56, but a maximum suddenly applied the pressure.

Jenkins hit single 16 to leave double tops but missed both his match darts, as Dudbridge produced a stunning crescendo with a 101 checkout to spark wild celebrations.

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