Collin Morikawa and Norman Xiong had given the host nation the perfect start with a record-breaking victory over Harry Ellis and Alfie Plant in a tournament featuring the best amateur golfers from each country. 

Morikawa and Xiong beat their opponents by 8 and 7, the largest margin ever recorded in an 18-hole match at the biennial tournament whose history dates back to 1922. 

They began with four birdies in the first five holes and continued in that vain on their way to a commanding success on the opening day of the event.

Connor Syme and Paul McBride overcame United States Amateur champion Doc Redman and Will Zalatoris 3 and 2 to level the scores before the visitors turned the contest on its head by winning the third tie.

Scott Gregory and Jack Singh Brar ousted Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Champ by the same margin to ensure they would go into tomorrow on level terms at the very least.

Maverick McNealy and United States Amateur runner-up Doug Ghim won the day's final match as they beat David Boote and Jack Davidson 5 and 4.

"You never know what's going to happen," Morikawa said. 

"Those guys can come out hot, we can come out hot, [or] we can all be making bogeys and tying the holes. 

"So you don't really know what to expect.

"So I think we came out with a good mindset and bring it on for the rest of the week."

Britain and Northern Ireland are the defending champions as they won the 2015 event by 16.5 points to nine-and-a-half points at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club.