Less than 24 hours after capturing his 12th World Golf Championship title from a four-hole playoff, Tiger Woods was with his 11 Ryder Cup team-mates for a pre-arranged reconnaissance mission to the K-Club today.

In a bid to instil a greater team ethic on his team, captain Tom Lehman - flanked by vice-captain Corey Pavin - organised an informal two-day get together in Ireland.

The team arrived on a charted flight straight from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio - where Woods eventually beat Stewart Cink.  All in a day's work for the jet-set lifestyle today's top players are accustomed to.

As it was, the American entourage gathered at the Kildare venue to work as a cohesive unit and give those who haven't played the Palmer Course a taste of what to expect next month.

If any clue regarding team spirit was needed onlookers need only have seen the commitment from both the world number one and two, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Both had prior engagements, Mickelson's from as far back as seven months ago, but both felt the need to be with the team and therefore rearranged their schedules.

Lehman is turning out to be a shrewd character and a hugely respected captain.  Never before has a get-together likes this been arranged.

The captain sent his troops out in three balls. Each of the four rookies, Brett Wetterich, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Zach Johnson, were paired with two more experienced players.

Interestingly, Henry played alongside Woods and Jim Furyk which could indicate a potential  combination come September.

The team played in all sorts of conditions, from autumnal sunshine to monsoon-like rain, on a day when the action was restricted to media and K-Club members only.

Members of the public were not allowed in due to safety reasons as the grandstands, tented villages and corporate areas get moved into place.

Lehman and his gang will take it easy tonight. "Perhaps 12 grown men could be asleep before 9pm" was the captain's view, considering they flew through the night to arrive in Ireland in time play today.

Tomorrow they will have complete peace as the media will not be allowed in.

It is also expected that Lehman's team will play 36-holes tomorrow, after which, the American will surely have a better idea of who he wants to pair together against the Europeans.