They are tied at the top at 10-under par with South Korean pair Byeong Hun An and Si Woo Kim and English duo Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton.

The Australians drained eight birdies and an eagle – on the par five fourth – to shoot 62 at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club in an impressive fourball opening display.

Smith made a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th to give the host nation team equal share of the lead.

Warrnambool export Leishman said a fast start was imperative.

“I think it was very important for us to get off to a good start,” the American-based world number 19 said of the tournament favourite’s opening round.

“You don't want to be fighting back the whole tournament.

“Cam had his putter going today, which was great, and we combined pretty well so that's what you have to do in that format.”

Smith said the pair worked well together.

“I think we just combined really well.  Like Leish was saying, once one of us was in a bit of trouble, the other one just hit the centre of the green, gave ourselves 20, 30 feet and an opportunity at birdie,” he said.

Team Australia will play alongside Team Malaysia in the foursome format on Friday.

Leishman and Smith will tee off at 12.35pm.