Defending champion John Part crashed out on the opening night of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship as he was thrashed by qualifier Bill Davis.

American Davis, from Philadelphia, saw off his Canadian opponent 3-0 in front of an ecstatic crowd at Alexandra Palace.

Clearly overwhelmed by his achievement, he told Sky Sports afterwards: "It's just crazy, this is amazing. Anything can happen here."

Part, seeded fourth this year, claimed his third World Championship title 12 months ago with a final victory over Ramsgate qualifier Kirk Shepherd, but he was well beaten in a thrilling encounter this time around.

Davis, 49, hit a 116 finish to win the first set 3-1, before defying five 180s from Part in three legs to edge the second.

The American led 2-1 in the second before Part levelled, but a double 10 gave him the biggest victory of his career.

"I had a chance of a good run in this tournament but I never got going," Part said.

"I didn't get out of the gate and you can't afford to turn up and not be at your best. I was prepared but it's too hard to narrow it down to anything specific."

Earlier on Friday night, sixteenth seed Roland Scholten suffered a 3-2 defeat by newcomer Carlos Rodriguez in the first round.

The tournament debutant, who has had an impressive first year on the PDC Pro Tour, won the opening match of the event.

He took the first leg only for Scholten to level with the next two legs going the same way before Rodriguez won the decider.

Rodriguez told www.planetdarts.tv: "I wasn't nervous but it was very difficult playing for the first time in such a big arena."

Warren French came from 3-1 down to claim a 5-3 win over Akihiro Nagakawa.

The New Zealander won four consecutive legs to book a place in the last 64 where he will play Dennis Priestley on Saturday.

England's Wayne Jones, the 25th seed, lost 3-1 to Scottish Order of Merit qualifier Robert Thornton.

The night's final match produced another surprise, with England's 24th seed Andy Jenkins sent crashing 3-1 by Dutch qualifier Co Stompe.