After a disappointing summer, the big Ulsterman has eased back into form and is ready to play a winning role, writes Philip Reid

In a perfectly synchronised move, acted out on the 18th fairway, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn moved towards each other. Bjorn had just played a miracle approach shot from the fairway bunker over the stretch of water to the top tier of the green and, in a telepathic moment, the two players leaped into the air and high-fived each other. The good vibes continued when, upon reaching the green, Clarke gently rolled in the 20-foot birdie putt.

Oh, if you could only save such shots for when it really mattered. Like a day later. Like today, the first day of the Ryder Cup.

One thing yesterday's high-jinks on one of the most famous fairways in golf demonstrated, however, was that Clarke is totally at ease with himself this week, heading into his third Ryder Cup appearance. If Europe are to regain the Ryder Cup, then he'll need to produce the goods. This year, more than ever, Clarke is a key man.

Indeed, Sam Torrance's decision to cast Clarke and Bjorn as his two tiger slayers in today's opening fourballs match is a straight-out statement of intent. If anybody needed to be fired up, then going head-to-head with Tiger Woods (who is paired with Paul Azinger) will do it for you - and Torrance's decision to put his two most aggressive golfers together, in the top match, is a real risk all approach.

"Clarke and Bjorn have been fantastic all week. They're two great players, they're birdie machines, which is great for fourball," said Torrance.

Inside a week, a lot has changed; and Clarke's opening tee-shot down the narrow first fairway today will be hit by a man who has used the team environment of the last four days to bring his game around to where he wants it to be.

Last Sunday, Clarke departed Mount Juliet with clouds circling his head. His form in the AmEx had disappointed him more than it had anyone else. When he got home to London on Sunday afternoon, he retreated to his back garden - where he has a chipping area and putting green - and hit some balls.

On Monday, he drove to The Belfry and, with each passing day, the clouds have dispersed and he has looked one of the most relaxed players here this week.

While Clarke has endured a torrid time on the greens throughout the summer, he remains one of just three European Ryder Cup players - the others are Bjorn and Sergio Garica - to have won a tournament. Clarke's win was back in the first week of June, over three months ago, but others have endured more barren spells than he has. However, he believes that past from doesn't matter once you put the tee peg into the ground in a Ryder Cup.

"This is a week where players raise their games," said Clarke. "It's a week that gets them back to the way they usually play."

Back in 1997, in Valderrama, there was a belief that Clarke was under-utilised in the game plan devised by Seve Ballesteros. But Europe won, and you can't argue with the method that produces victory. Clarke bit his tongue and stayed quiet.

In 1999, in Brookline, Clarke played in all five matches. He won and lost a foursomes. He won and lost a fourballs. And he lost his singles.

"I remember Brookline and the atmosphere on the Sunday was electrifying," said Clarke. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to play well that day and the Americans did play well. It was difficult for us to get some momentum going, but that happens when things aren't going your way as a team."

This time, Clarke would like nothing more than to play a bigger, winning part.

"I know we can win. Definitely. If you take a look at the last few Ryder Cups, there's only been a point separating the teams for the past four or five. I think the form on paper is maybe not irrelevant, but not as important as people think," he said.

Clarke's form has been nowhere as dismal as a number of other players on the team. In his eyes, however, it still hasn't been good enough.

Indeed, since his win in the English Open, he has played nine tournaments on the European Tour and failed to get a top-10 finish in any of them. It was only when he played in the Air Canada Championship that he managed to reach such lofty heights again.

But he insists that form isn't the be all and end all of a Ryder Cup week. Today, he gets the chance to show it . . . and he wouldn't mind in the least if his name was to go head-to-head against Woods in the singles either.

"I'd relish the chance to take on Tiger. He is the number one player in the world, and he showed us that again last week. If you don't want to step up against the best, you shouldn't be here. He would be overwhelming favourite against whoever he tees it up against. So there is nothing to lose. I would love to have the chance to play him again. Win, lose or half."

His time has come; and it is time to deliver.