PAOLO NEBRIDA celebrated just a little too early as he pulled off a huge upset to defeat Jim Williams.
The Filipino was closing in on the win when gestured to the crowd before throwing wide of the mark.
But it mattered little as he hit a hit the double to check out with 96 to take the victory.
Singles on one, 19 and 16 from Williams gave Nebrida the chance to snatch victory.
He moves into the second round to face Ross Smith while Williams failed to make it out of the opening game for the first time.
Also heading into round two is Ryan Meikle, who edged out Fallon Sherrock to set up a clash with teen sensation Luke Littler.
Two-time champion Peter Wright won his opener against Wesley Plaisier and has set his sights on stars Littler and Luke Humphries.
Wright said: “People think: ‘Oh, he should be retiring, he should be going to the old git’s thing.’ No, I’m not ready for that yet.
“I’m ready to upset Luke Littler. I’m here to upset Luke Humphries. I believe I can win it.
“I won one of the European Tours, beat Luke Littler in the final, won six legs on the trot. You can overlook me if you like, I don’t care.
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“What drives me on? Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. Because I know I can still compete with them.
“What I’m doing in practice, I can compete with these guys and be better than them.
“I’m 54 coming up to 55 in March next year and Gary (Anderson) spurs me on as well. These old guys can still do it.
“I believe I’ve got the game. My practice and everything is better than I was when I first came and won it and told you all I was going to win it. That’s how I feel.”
Wright – who dressed up as a purple santa for his 3-1 second-round struggle over Wesley Plaisier – said: “I’ve given out all my presents this year.
“It’s unbelievable. All the people that have beaten me, it’s only down to my own self because I played rubbish. But they have had their presents.
“They ain’t having no more. You have had them. No present this Christmas.”
Second round draw (seeded vs first-round winner)
