FORMER Coral UK Open finalist Terry Jenkins was a first-round victim this year.
The £350,000 tournament was forced to be held behind closed doors in Minehead with the effects of Storm Emma preventing Butlins from opening the complex to the general public.
Semi-retired Jenkins slipped out 6-5 against fellow former high-flier Paul Nicholson.
In the first game on the adopted new main stage, Nicholson had to survive a spirited comeback after going 5-0 up.
Ledbury's Jenkins took the clash to a final leg where Nicholson missed 10 match darts before hitting 32 with two double eights to win.
The Herefordshire thrower was sporting a bald head.
Jenkins said on Twitter: "I have lost my hair due to alopecia from a car accident I had a year ago but all ok."
Rileys qualifier Andy Pullen, of Upton, received an early bye as his opponent Mark Rice withdrew but then went down 6-3 to Nathan Aspinall.
Pullen was in his first Professional Darts Corporation tour event.
Gary Anderson won the first UK Open title of his career after defeating Australian sensation Corey Cadby 11-7 in the final.
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