Europe practiceIf the cheers for the Irish are indicators, Friday will see an emotional storm, writes John O'Sullivan

The silence of a crisp morning framed by bright blue skies was periodically interrupted by the rhythmic thwack of golf balls being coaxed down the range.

Most vantage points in the grandstand were occupied as spectators watched first the Americans and then the Europeans limber up for the first official day of practice in the 36th Ryder Cup.

A polite ripple of applause greeted most of the golfers, flanked by a mini-entourage of coach and caddie, as they prepared to work the bag. It resembled a kind of Sleepy Hollow but that changed dramatically a little after nine yesterday morning when Darren Clarke strode into view.

The range at the K Club was transformed into an emotionally charged arena, the arrival greeted by thunderous applause, spontaneous and heartfelt. The Irishman's face creased into a broad grin, while team-mates broke from their pre-round rituals to shake heads and smile.

If this represents a barometer of support, then goodness knows what it's going to be like when Friday comes. It proved a groundswell of goodwill that accompanied him around the course from tee box to fairway to green. The most mundane shot was greeted with cries of "Good man, Darren", "We're here for you" and the inevitable "You the man". His impending arrival to the first tee box was discernible long before he came into view, a sustained bout of applause growing ever louder as he made the short walk from the putting green. Paired with his good friend and perennial Ryder Cup partner Lee Westwood, he squared up against Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, all of whom were acknowledged warmly by the galleries.

The banter started on the first tee box, no doubt prompted by the traditional galvanising inspiration on practice days: the wager. Pride is one thing but prising a few euro from someone else's pocket is a major attraction.

European captain Ian Woosnam admitted, "Some players are playing (for) more and some players are playing for less. I think it's something like, 50, €50, 100. Darren wanted to play for considerably more."

That view was no doubt reinforced by Clarke's holing a birdie putt on the first and being conceded an eagle on the par-five fourth after thumping his second shot to five feet.

It should be noted McGinley managed to knock his second shot, also a three wood, at the same hole to a couple of inches inside Clarke's, prompting the raised-eyebrow inquiry traditional in matchplay.

Clarke's laughter as he practised chipping from the side of the green was echoed by the gallery close by as McGinley ventured of the two putts, "You want to call it halves?"

Clarke responded, "Would you call it halves on Friday?" to which the Dubliner replied, "Okay, I probably would."

McGinley went on to observe, "It was a very jovial match. Lee and Darren are as you know very cocky. They were very proud and they love taking money off me and Padraig. They got €50. Ouch."

What may have made the outcome more painful was that Harrington and McGinley were two up with as many to play but their opponents finished three, three to take the money.

McGinley was asked to comment on Clarke's presence in the context of the team.

"Darren is great, he's tough and has come through a very tough period in his life. He's had a lot of success and a lot of glory in his life and he's had to deal with the complete opposite the last two years, guiding his kids through it. It's not over yet but he's tough. We don't want to overemphasise the sympathy for him and he doesn't want that either.

"He's here as one of 12 players that have a role to play and he will play it. He's an important player for us this week."

The good-natured banter was common to all three practice matches, which pitted Sweden against Spain and a Scottish/English axis against two Englishman in the other two.

Luke Donald and Paul Casey, who forged such a lucrative partnership in their Walker Cup days, managed to win the bragging rights in their spat with Colin Montgomerie and David Howell. Casey enthused, "We had fun. Woosie put me out with Luke and we won the front (nine), lost the back and won the overall.

"There hasn't been much talk about the pairings."

The World Matchplay champion was then asked for an overview on what the three Irish players bring to this week.

"They bring a lot of experience in humorous ways and they're three brilliant players. They have experience in the Ryder Cup and they're invaluable to the team.

"But they're also Irish. That helps with the crowds, that helps with the atmosphere and really getting everyone geared up. I was on the range this morning when Darren walked on and he got a wonderful reception. The Irish crowds have been waiting for the Ryder Cup and it's finally here.

"They get to see 24 of the best golfers in the world, but they also get to see their home heroes battling it out and they're going to be there supporting all three of them."

Today both Woosnam and Tom Lehman will probably mix and match again but the end to posturing inches closer.

Yesterday offered nothing more than a gentle loosener but as Friday draws closer the fun will become less obvious in the games.