The Dutchman, who has been blighted by shoulder problems over the last few years, showed the kind of form which saw him claim the 2004 UK Open, in a performance which included seven maximums.
Scholten, who was knocked out by Ronnie Baxter in last year's competition, hit a 180 in the process of winning the opening leg of the match before Caven held throw to take the second by hitting double eight.
Scholten regained the lead by landing double ten after Caven missed two chances on double four and a second maximum from the Dutchman followed by double six secured the first set.
Caven started to show some form at the start of the second set as he hit a two-dart 76 finish to take the first leg and fired a maximum in the second.
The Derby thrower hit double top to break his opponent's throw for the first time and then took out 97 in two darts to take the third leg and the set to level the match.
Caven continued his good finishing form at the start of set three by hitting a two-dart 76 checkout to win the first leg.
Scholten hit double top to break back before Caven hit the same bed to win the next leg against the darts and regain the advantage.
The Dutchman produced an excellent two-dart 100 checkout to win the fourth leg and then landed double four in a crucial decider to move 2-1 up.
The fourth set began with Scholten hitting a 180, but Caven was first to a finish, only to waste seven darts at doubles as the Dutchman stole in and landed double two.
Scholten hit his fifth maximum of the match in the process of taking the second leg, before Caven hit back-to-back maximums in the next to set up a potential nine-darter.
Caven hit the seventh treble 20 but his attempt at treble was off-target - ending hopes of a nine-darter and then seeing Scholten hit a second 180 of the leg himself to leave 41 after nine darts.
Caven, though, managed to win the leg on double eight to keep the match alive and then hit another maximum in the fourth leg, but it turned out to be his last three darts of the match as the Dutchman took victory in style with a fantastic 138 checkout.
"I'm very happy with that because it's been a hard time for me in the last couple of years and a win like that is a long time coming," said Scholten.
"My shoulder is still not 100 percent but this is a confidence boost and I'll look forward to the second round now."
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