Luke Goldr won his first match as the world’s number one player at the Players Championship, which was the second surprising win against him in a month.
Less than a month after upsetting Humphfries in the final of the European Championship, Van Veen fought back from three legs to beat the defending champions 6-5 at the mine.
Humpephries flew out of the traps with checkouts of 145, 40 and 83, but van venen came back with finishes of 161 and 81 at Bullsoye.
The former world number set himself up before losing the tie at 4-4, before two van veren misses allowed Humphries to set up a decider.
Van Veen’s hard work went to waste as he missed five darts, but Humphries was equally wasted and fell to the Dutchman’s fourth straight loss.
It has not been the best month for Humpephries, who earlier in the month surrendered his world number one crown when he lost ‘The Grand Slam of Darts Darts.
Meanwhile, Littler cruised into the second round with a 6-1 win over Jeffrey de Graaf.
After being heralded by many in the world as a world number one in his career, Lather averaged 104.46 to continue his hunt for a first championship title.
“It feels perfect, probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, to be world champion and world number one at the same time – but there’s a lot to come at ITV Sport.
“It’s the title I haven’t won yet. Last year I went out against Lucas Whispers so I want to check it out.”
The 18-year-old will face Ross Smith in the second round after the Englishman saw off Ryan Meikle 6-1.
The highest seed of Gerwyn not much for Max Hopp – lost six darts when trying to take a 5-2 lead and the German failed to capitalize and the German did not manage 6-2.
Stephen Buunting found a routine 6-2 win over Ritchie EXhouse, before Nathan Aspinall dispatched Karel Sedlacek 6-3.
Four-time World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld with a 6-3 defeat of Krzysztof ratajski.
Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall and Jonny Clayton were all beaten in the afternoon session, with James Hurrell beating former finalist Clayton with a 99.2 average.
World Number Six James Wade advanced to a comfortable 6-3 win over Mickey Mansell.