The Dutchman took command early on by taking a 3-0 lead before McTernan - one of 32 pub qualifiers in the event following a series of knockouts in Punch Taverns houses around the UK - won leg four.

A 121 finish restored van Gerwen's cushion, and he quickly accelerated away to take the win.

He now meets Northern Ireland's Andrew Coulter in round two on Friday night, and said: "I'm happy to be through because it was my first game on a new stage and I know I can play better.

"I don't know much about Andrew so I have to be ready for the game."

American Carver, ranked 45 in the world, suffered the biggest shock of the opening night by losing 8-5 to pub qualifier Mark Hylton in the preliminary round.

Hylton, an airline cabin manager from the West Midlands, sent Carver back to an early flight home to Chicago by winning the final three legs of the match after the opening ten were shared in a close contest.

He went on to lose out in round one, going down to former World Championship qualifier Mark Robinson.

Cliff Lazarenko returned to the big stage and won two matches to progress to Friday's second round, winning 8-1 against Chris Daglish in their preliminary round contest before seeing off Nigel Payne 8-3.

Former World Champion Richie Burnett made an impressive start with an 8-1 defeat of pub qualifier Eddie Hughes.

Friday's play, beginning at 7pm, sees former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen come into the action against one of the remaining pub qualifiers, Dorset's Scott Mitchell.

2005 finalist Mark Walsh takes on Ireland's Garrett Grat, and Bolton favourite Paul Williams will meet Michael Barnard.

The third round will feature former World Champions John Part, Bob Anderson and Keith Deller, while Mark Dudbridge and Ronnie Baxter meet in the biggest game of the night.