Waites produced the kind of form that saw him collect the £100,000 first prize 12 months ago, but defeat in his opening two contests meant that he was unable to qualify for the knockout phases.
"I went out and enjoyed myself tonight and I think it showed in my performance," said Waites.
"I should really have won my match against Tony O'Shea on Sunday and that proved costly in the end."
Waites hit a maximum in the opening leg but Walsh hit an 82 finish, completed on double top, to take an early lead.
The defending champion hit double 10 to level the match before Walsh hit back-to-back maximums to leave the possibility of a nine-dart finish.
Walsh's seventh attempt at a treble 20 was just above the target but the leg was won in 11-darts to take a 2-1 lead.
The excitement continued in the fourth as Waites hit consecutive 180s to leave himself a chance of the nine-dart finish.
The seventh attempt at the treble 20 found the target but the eighth dart at treble 19 was unsuccessful.
However, the Yorkshireman won the leg in 11-darts and then broke throw for a 3-2 lead by converting a 68 finish after Walsh was unusually off-target with two darts at double top.
Both players hit maximums in the seventh leg but it Waites who powered home to victory with his second 11-dart finish of the match.
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