PDC

The Highest Average Ever Thrown in the PDC — And No, It Wasn’t Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen or Luke Littler

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 17, 2025 12:23 PM ET

In today’s PDC landscape, three-figure averages have become almost commonplace. The top players consistently deliver breathtaking performances that push the boundaries of what’s possible in darts. Naturally, many fans might assume that the highest-ever average belongs to legends like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, or even rising star Luke Littler. But the truth is rather surprising.

The Televised Records: Mighty Mike Leads the Way

When it comes to televised matches, Michael van Gerwen holds the crown. Back in 2016, during the Premier League Darts, Van Gerwen crushed Michael Smith 7–1, producing an astonishing average of 123.40 — still the highest recorded on TV. Close behind is Kim Huybrechts, who averaged 121.97 in a 2017 World Cup quarter-final victory over Paul Lim. Peter Wright rounds out the top three with a superb 119.50 average against Adrian Lewis later that same year.

Off the Televised Radar: Records That Defy Belief

But the story doesn’t end there. When considering non-televised events, the averages skyrocket even higher.

The late Kyle Anderson, a highly respected figure who passed away in 2021, once posted a remarkable 134.84 average during a Players Championship. Unfortunately, this feat wasn’t officially recorded via DartConnect, the digital scoring system now standard across PDC events, since it wasn’t in use at the time.

The Surprising Champion: Colin Osborne’s Unbelievable Performance

In fact, the highest-ever PDC average belongs to someone many might not expect — Colin Osborne. The 50-year-old Englishman, a former Championship League winner and UK Open finalist, registered an eye-watering 143.14 average in a UK Open Qualifier. And this incredible performance took place in a pub setting, far from the bright lights of the televised arena.

Paul Nicholson, a former major winner in his own right, investigated this astonishing feat and confirmed its authenticity: “DartConnect wasn’t available then, but I checked with witnesses, including the tournament director. Colin won 4–0 with legs of 11, 11, 9, and 11 darts — phenomenal stuff,” 'The Asset' revealed in conversation with Sporting Life.

Nicholson also reflected on how much digital scoring has changed the game: “It’s a shame we didn’t have DartConnect back then. I once beat Colin Lloyd 6–0 and was told afterwards I averaged 121. I was proud, but I wish I had the numbers officially recorded.”