LUKE LITTLER admitted it was “good to be back” with a monster display in Prague.
The World No1 beat Niko Springer 6-4 with a huge 108.59 average at the Czech Darts Open.
Littler, 19, has only appeared in the Players Championships since retaining his World Matchplay crown in July.
He said: “It’s been a while since I’ve been on these European tours, the heat and everything, it’s just something I’ve got to get back used to.
“I’ve had six-and-a-half weeks off. If I won or lost there, I was just saying to myself it’s so good to be back.
“The atmosphere, the game that Niko put up against me, it was a really good game.
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“Full credit. I was 5-2 up, next minute I look at the board and it’s 5-4 and he’s got the darts to make it level. I just had to finish it there, I didn’t fancy a last-leg decider.
“I’ve got rid of a bit of dust. I’ve just put in a 108 average but when I was practising backstage, I couldn’t hit anything so I don’t know how I’ve done that.”
Littler now faces Polish star Krzysztof Ratajski in round three on Sunday.
He added: “With Niko there he’s a very quick player. I was just saying to myself don’t get caught up in his pace and speed. I sort of tried to manage it that way.
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“With Krzysztof tomorrow obviously I’ve played him on the ProTour a week or two ago. So I know how to manage Krzysztof as well. He’s very dangerous. I’m smiling, it’s good to be back.”
Luke Humphries admitted he was carrying a shoulder injury after beating Beau Greaves 6-2 with a 109 average.
He said: “I’ve got a slight injury in my shoulder and I wasn’t going to be here 48 hours ago.
“It’s like the Grand Slam last year, I woke up in the morning got up out of bed and gone again.”