Less than 24 hours before the Ryder Cup gets underway at the K Club, weather permitting of course, European captain Ian Woosnam gave his clearest indication yet that Darren Clarke would partner good friend Lee Westwood in tomorrow's opening fourballs.
For the third day running, Clarke and Westwood were paired together by Woosnam, while Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie - who beat Woods and Mickelson in the opening match two years ago - were also together again.
There were some surprises elsewhere however, with Paul Casey alongside Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson playing with david Howell and Paul McGinley alongside Luke Donald.
Sergio Garcia was unbeaten in fourballs and foursomes with Westwood and Donald respectively at Oakland Hills, but this morning was alongside fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal for the second time this week.
Woosnam and his American counterpart Tom Lehman are expected hand in their pairings for the opening fourball matches at 2pm, with the games scheduled to start at 8am on Friday.
While the European team started from the first tee, the Americans began at the 10th with Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk and Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco paired as expected to seemingly practice foursomes play.
It was also no surprise that long hitters Woods and Mickelson hit the tee shots on the par-five 10th, all of the four par fives at the K Club being even numbered holes.
In the group behind, David Toms and Brett Wetterich were with Chad Campbell and Zach Johnson, leaving Stewart Cink, Vaughn Taylor, JJ Henry and Scott Verplank to bring up the rear.
Earlier, the European team had posed for their official photographs as the formalities continue. On the original schedule of events, team photographs should have taken place yesterday but such was the inconvenience of weather delays and disruption the photo call has carried over into today.
It remains unclear whether the Europeans will practise for a full 18 holes time against them because of the Opening Ceremony.
As it stands that will still take place at it's original outdoor location beside the practice range at 3.30pm. Yesterday, however, contingency plans were put in place to bring the ceremony indoors to the CityWest Hotel because weather conditions were so bad.
Conditions this morning are considerably better than this time 24 hours ago when the whole K Club site was shut down for three hours due to high winds making the venue unsafe for spectators and players.
Park and ride shuttle buses have been running as normal today - with the exception of the Palmerstown House Termninal being relocated to Punchestown because of muddy conditions under foot.
There is still plenty of gusting wind in the area accompanied by squally showers. However, the wind will help to dry the course somewhat.
