"He needs to grow up and grow one": Damon Heta tells fan attempting trademark moustache with marker after tense Van Gerwen win
PDC
Damon Heta has booked his place in the final day of the Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 after a hard-fought thriller against Michael van Gerwen. The Australian edged out the Dutchman 6-5 in Antwerp and admitted afterwards that neither player came close to producing their best level.
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The encounter at Flanders Darts Trophy was largely about hard work and taking the opportunities that presented themselves. Heta noticed that Van Gerwen was unable to find his usual game and also saw the Dutchman’s frustrations. ‘The Heat’ tried not to let that affect him as much as possible.
"You know, I think one of us could have just run away with it to be fair, I think he didn't turn up and I could see that and I could see his frustrations when he was... So I just tried to keep myself in check and I think that's what I needed to do and not buy into where both... I knew we weren't both playing great," said Heta post match.
For Heta, it was therefore mainly a matter of staying focused on his own game. "So I was like, alright, keep yourself in check, take your opportunities and yeah, whatever he gave me, I took, you could say. Yeah, I wish I could have jumped on it a bit more and made it an easier game."
Damon Heta took down MVG.
Another 6-5 win for Heta
The Australian would have preferred to finish the match earlier. Van Gerwen remained alive, however, meaning an eleventh and deciding leg was ultimately required. "But you know, 6-5, it seems like it's a speciality at the moment, I was going to say."
It was precisely in that deciding leg that Heta produced one of the most important moments of the match. He opened with a 180 and immediately put the pressure back on Van Gerwen.
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"Oh, it wasn't a just, that was a massive 180 and I just had to release and I felt better after that, I was like, I should have done that after the first shot.
Afterwards, the Australian even wondered why he had not been able to find that relaxed mindset earlier in the match. "It might have been 26 or something, but I should have done that, like, no, I just... Yeah, you get embroiled in some games sometimes."
Although the level was not what Heta had hoped for, the result was ultimately what mattered most to him. A victory over Van Gerwen remains special for the Australian, regardless of how it is achieved. "But you know, you always take a win over one of the world's best and I'll take that every day."
ANOTHER DECIDING LEG WIN FOR HETA!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 12, 2026
In a game with all holds of throw, Damon Heta comes out on top and beats Michael van Gerwen in yet another deciding-leg for the Australian!
📺 https://t.co/Dogi6ykEH5 #ET13 pic.twitter.com/cQVGuHZSho
Notable Heta supporter
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Heta could also count on plenty of support from the stands in Antwerp. Several supporters were wearing shirts featuring the Australian, while one fan had even drawn on Heta’s trademark moustache. According to the interviewer, a waterproof marker may even have been used for it.
"Yeah, look, he needs to grow up and grow one, you know what I mean? And then, yeah, get a real one, you deserve it, mate, do yourself a favour."
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When he subsequently spotted the fan in the crowd, Heta followed it up with another compliment. "There he is, what a good-looking rooster. No, I appreciate all the support, I really appreciate it, thank you very much, thank you."
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