The American team's arrival in Ireland for this week's Ryder Cup was delayed by almost three hours this morning. The majority of the American side and captain Tom Lehman were due to arrive at Dublin Airport around 8.30am, where they will be met by European skipper Ian Woosnam.

However, the flight is now not due to arrive until around 11.15am, putting back the first press conference of the week with the two captains until approximately 12 noon.

One member of the American team is already in Dublin with Jim Furyk the first to practice at the K Club on Sunday, while world number one Tiger Woods took in yesterday's Premiership match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and so was just a short flight away.

Both players were knocked out in the first round of the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth last week, an event won by European team member Paul Casey.

Casey's victory and the £1million first prize will be a major boost to the home side's hopes of winning the trophy for an unprecedented third straight time when play gets under way on Friday.