Littler will return to the oche at the World Matchplay later this month
LUKE LITTLER suffered a second successive early exit blow at the Players Championship 14.
The teen sensation crashed out 6-3 to World No92 James Hurrell in the second round in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.
It came just 24 hours after he was dumped out by World No116 Robert Grundy.
Hurrell, nicknamed ‘Hillbilly’, is a WDF World Cup and WDF Europe Cup medalist.
The 39-year-old, from Oxfordshire, led 3-1 at the halfway point but the Premier League champ came charging back to draw level at 3-3.
However it was then all Hurrell with three successive legs to wrap up the match.
Hurrell previously beat Littler in the Isle of Man Classic in March.
Littler, 17, said on his instagram: “Glad those protours are over for now.”
The Warrington wonderkid has had a short break from the sport after winning the Poland Darts Masters in mid-June.
The 17-year-old didn’t play in England’s World Cup triumph at the weekend because his world ranking is below Luke Humphries and Michael Smith.
Littler is currently 25th in the Order of Merit, whereas Luke Humphries and Michael Smith are ranked first and third respectively.
It’s not ideal preparation for Littler as he gets ready to make his World Matchplay debut at the Winter Gardens on July 13.
On the teen sensation’s return in Milton Keynes earlier this week, he crashed out in the opening round to the 47-year-old labourer, nicknamed Grenade.
Grundy, from Hartlepool, pulled off the deciding leg 6-5 victory over the Premier League champion.
It was a shockingly low performance from Littler as he only registered an average of 79.02.
‘The Nuke’ appeared to be in control at 4-2 up, having lost the opening two legs.
But Grundy stormed back to lead 5-4. Littler levelled it up only for Grundy to win the final leg.
Grundy only picked up his tour card at the PDC’s Qualifying School in January – and only went back to darts after watching it on TV after 15 years away from the sport.