- Darting sensation clinched £1000 prize at Cheshire Open in Crewe
- Last week he reportedly dumped girlfriend Eloise Milburn by text
- Littler also crashed out of the World Matchplay in Blackpool in the first round
Luke Littler has bounced back from an early exit at the World Matchplay and his recent break-up with girlfriend Eloise Milburn by winning his local darts tournament.
The 17-year-old clinched the men’s singles title at the Cheshire Open yesterday to secure a £1000 prize at The Coppenhall Club in Crewe.
The victory rounded off a dramatic week for the darting sensation, who had troubles on and off the oche.
Last Monday, Littler was soundly beaten by Michael van Gerwen 10-6, in a much-hyped first-round clash of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
The Dutchman put in a professional performance against the teenage prodigy, silencing critics who had questioned his form in recent weeks.
Luke Littler (pictured, at the World Championships in January) won his local darts tournament yesterday to round off a dramatic week
It comes after Littler split from his girlfriend Eloise Milburn (pictured, right, with Littler in Februrary)
Milburn was a constant presence at Littler’s side during his rise to the top of the darts world
Littler (pictured,left) lost 10-6 to three-time world Champion Michael Van Gerwen (right) last Monday
It appeared Littler failed to find his rhythm, however, leaving van Gerwen to capitalise on the youngster’s mistakes.
And just days later, it was revealed the teenager and his girlfriend Eloise Milburn had broken up, with the darts sensation left ‘very upset’ by the situation, according to reports.
Milburn was a constant presence at his big matches but the pair decided to end their 10-month relationship which started just weeks before the beginning of the World Championship last December.
Littler’s decision to part ways with the 21-year-old Avon sales rep came ‘completely out of the blue’, with Littler said to have delivered the news via text.
This weekend saw the darts star make a much-needed return to winning ways and Sunday’s success followed victory at the competition’s warm-up event the day before.
The event, which cost £20 to enter, was in a best of nine-leg format until the semi-final and final, which were both best of 11.
Posting a picture of himself with the trophy on Instagram, Littler said: ‘Some weekend. Winning the warm up men’s event and the Cheshire Open men’s singles, good see all my fellow teammates from Cheshire.’
Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler posted this story on his Instagram page, urging fans to stop giving Milburn grief
Littler’s decision to part ways with the 21-year-old Avon sales rep came ‘completely out of the blue’
Milburn was previously an avid follower of Littler’s darts career and would regularly support him at events
Littler and Milburn shared a 10-month relationship that started towards the end of last year
The tournament also offered a £250 prize pot split between anyone who landed a nine-darter.
His meagre winnings over the weekend are a sharp contrast to the £200,000 he bagged for coming second place in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace seven months ago.
Entering the tournament ranked outside the top 100, Littler defeated the likes of Brendan Dolan, Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross before being bested by Luke Humphries in January.