ADELAIDE, Australia — The United States took a two-shot lead over Scotland after the first round of the World Amateur Team golf championships Thursday, with Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark leading the way.

The Americans shot rounds of 5-under 68 at Royal Adelaide, and teammate Billy Horschel shot a 72. Each of the 65 competing nations has three players, but only the lowest two scores are combined for the team score.

"After I made a 40-footer for a birdie on the first hole, I kind of just cruised from there," said the 19-year-old Fowler. "It was a good day."

The U.S. was three shots clear of Puerto Rico and five in front of Wales and France, but was the only team among the top five that played at Royal Adelaide. Scotland, Puerto Rico, France and Wales played nearby at the par 72, 6,930-yard The Grange course.

The teams switch courses for the second round.

"The boys got off to a really quick start and we held it in there," U.S. captain Walter Driver said. "But until we play both courses it's hard to know exactly how you stack up against the field."

Scotland's Callum Macauley shot 5-under 67 after a bogey on his 18th hole at The Grange. Combined with Gavin Dear, who fired a 3-under 70, the Scots were at 8-under.

"We felt we could take advantage of the conditions and we have done that," Scotland captain George Crawford said.

Puerto Rican Mauritio Muniz had the lowest round, an 8-under 64 at The Grange, but didn't get much support from his teammates. Rafael Campos shot 1-over 73 and Leopoldo Garcia 6-over 78.