Wade was facing off against the in-form Damon Heta but produced a superb display to dispel the Aussie ace who nearly added to his title haul for the year at last week's Winter Series.
'The Machine' came through with a 5-2 victory averaging 102.4 and hitting 5/7 on the doubles to open his account in this year's tournament.
But while Heta couldn't come through, his World Cup of Darts partner Whitlock could do seeing off Ryan Searle in a 5-3 victory in their Group B opener.
It was a 93 average for 'The Wizard' with a solitary 180 but an impressive 55 percent on the doubles as he punished 3/11 from 'Heavy Metal'.
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