GOLF/Ryder Cup 2006: True to form, the unpredictable Irish weather was the only predictable thing about Team America's reconnaissance trip to The K Club yesterday. Which, as far as US captain Tom Lehman was concerned, was exactly what he wanted.

"I'm kind of glad we had this, it's good to see there are several days in a day here in Ireland, where you can get different conditions every half an hour. It's an exercise in patience in many ways," he remarked.

Indeed, for Lehman, this was just what the doctor ordered, a hint of the autumnal vagaries that awaits his team in next month's match with Europe. And, with all 12 members of his team, plus their caddies, here for a two-day visit to get acquainted with the Palmer Course which stages the match on September 22nd-24th, a trip without precedent in the history of the Ryder Cup, it sent out a message of Lehman's ability to think outside the box and, also, of the commitment of the Americans to regain a trophy they haven't held since 1999.

"All 12 guys here, it shows a lot of unity," remarked Stewart Cink, a captain's pick, of the fact that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson changed plans made several months ago so that they could make the trip, while Chris DiMarco said: "I think Tom's done a phenomenal job of getting everyone together . . . it says a lot, absolutely, that we're all here. We know who our leaders are on the team and it is nice they are here and they are doing everything we're doing. These guys are here because they are passionate. It wouldn't have been the same without them."

The US team touched down in Dublin yesterday morning, having flown together - some sleeping, others playing cards - on a chartered flight after the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, where Tiger Woods, the world number one, continued his remarkable run, claiming his fourth straight tournament win is a show of form that he aims to bring all the way to the Ryder Cup next month.

"I think you try to keep building each and every week.

"I have two more tournaments before I come to the Ryder Cup, so hopefully I can play well in those two events," said Woods, who will seek to maintain his streak in this week's Deutsche Bank tournament in Boston and who reckons he is stronger mentally than in his previous period of similar dominance in 2000.

Why? "Because of experience, the seven years of experience and the bad things that happen to a golfer and the positive things, and you learn from both. Seven years of experience pays off."

Woods's record in the Ryder Cup - seven wins, 11 losses and two halved matches - is contrary to his dominance in individual tournaments. And Lehman was dismissive of those who doubt that he brings the same commitment to team competitions.

"There is no one in the golfing world, possibly in the sporting world, more committed to winning than him no matter what the situation. People who question that, don't really understand him at all," said Lehman.

For his part, Woods, whose only experience of being on a winning Ryder Cup team was at Brookline in 1999, commented: "All you do is try your best, all you can do is to keep grinding, to win points for your team."

Yesterday, with frequently changing weather patterns, one minute sunshine followed the next by heavy showers, the US team opted to ride in electric carts rather than the more traditional method of walking.

Lehman opted to play his men in threeballs, so that the four rookies on the team - Zach Johnson, Brett Wetterich, JJ Henry and Vaughn Taylor - could get to know their new team-mates. So it was that Wetterich played with Chad Campbell and David Toms at the head of the field, followed by Taylor with DiMarco and Mickelson, then Johnson with Scott Verplank and Cink, with Henry, Woods and Jim Furyk bringing up the tail.

Not that too much significance could be attributed to the groupings. When Lehman was asked what format he'd use for today's second day of familiarisation with the course, he quipped back: "Onesomes." While yesterday's play was restricted to a handful of spectators, some high-profile members and greenstaff, with the media only allowed access to view the start and end of the rounds, today's practice session will be completely off limits, so that the Americans can be a little more serious about their preparations.

"I think (the visit) was necessary for all kinds of reasons," said Lehman. "A lot of guys had not seen the course, so it was a good thing to do because we want to win . . . today was a day for our four rookie players to go out with the veteran players and see the golf course." Although the greens were playing slower than they will be come the actual match - "I didn't take many putts," admitted Woods, not wanting the slow pace on the greens to affect his game - the set-up impressed Lehman, although he didn't agree entirely that the strong similarities with US-style courses would give his team any advantage.

"With the quality of players on either side, I don't know if it suits one team more than another. Players on both teams are able to play whatever the course might be and whatever the conditions. You've to drive it well, you've to putt well. It's a tough course," said Lehman.

Meanwhile, with the strong speculation that Darren Clarke would be getting a wild card pick from Europe's captain Ian Woosnam, Lehman said, "my wish is that Darren does what he wants to do. Whether he chooses to play or not to play is exactly his decision, and no matter what he chooses will be the right decision. It will be a better Ryder Cup if he plays in it."

Woods, too, felt Clarke's presence would contribute to the match. "It will be huge for all of Ireland," said Woods, "to see him here. I think it would be good for Darren if he played (a tournament) before that, so he can get over some of it. It's going to be a very emotional week for all of us, (but) it would be great for him to get involved in a team atmosphere like that."