Matt Kuchar and Harris English hold the early lead in Florida

The team comprising American duo Matt Kuchar and Harris English lead the way after day one of the 27th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida.

Kuchar and English have a great record together at this event and hold a one-shot lead after combining for a score of 58 in the scramble format.

The three-day invitational event is hosted by retired Aussie great Greg Norman and features 12 pairs of players battling it out over three rounds.

Kuchar and English are the only team who have competed at the event together more than once, having triumphed in 2013 and finished second last year.

"Having a partner lets you be a little bit more aggressive, lets you be a little more free-swinging," Kuchar said. "We've just formed a good partnership and get in a pretty good groove out there."

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, fresh from winning a PGA Tour event in Mexico last month, also had a good day, in tandem with big-hitting Gary Woodland, and they are a shot off the pace.

Another US duo, Hunter Mahan and Billy Horschel, shot a 59 too and they sit alongside McDowell and Woodland in joint-second.

Americans Daniel Berger and Charley Hoffman share fourth place on 60 with Colombia's Camilo Villegas and American Cameron Tringale.

Franklin Templeton Shootout

Tringale claimed the Shootout crown last year in partnership with Jason Day, but the Australia US PGA winner had to pull out of his title defence last week.

The players will turn their hands to a modified alternate shot format on Friday before playing better-ball in Saturday's final round.