Behind all the fun, friendships and phenomenal scoring associated with the visit of Tiger Woods to Limerick GC lay an assignment of sharply contrasting mood for the world number one. He is due in Waterville this afternoon with some of his USPGA Tour colleagues to honour the late Payne Stewart. Tracey Stewart, the player's widow, is scheduled to attend the unveiling of a special bronze of a man whom the local community took to their hearts during visits over the last two years. Indeed, Stewart was accorded the unique distinction of being made honorary captain for 2000 which, sadly, was destined to happen posthumously.

A notable absentee from the second day of the J P McManus Invitational Pro-Am was David Duval, who, after a morning 67, headed off to compete at Loch Lomond, starting today. But before leaving, the Floridian expressed his feelings on being left in the slipstream of the irrepressible Woods.

"There is no question about who is the best player in the world," he conceded. "But I'm not too concerned about that. I was the best player two years ago (actually it was last year) for a time and it's a neat position to be in. I know from my time there that there's no guarantee you will win every tournament you enter.

"Tiger has staked his claim by the way he has played over the last couple of years. But from my perspective, the challenge is not to figure out who's second best. The challenge is to be the best."

Nor was there any hint of deferring to his rival when Duval considered the stunning, 15-stroke win in the US Open at Pebble Beach last month.

"As a tournament player you appreciate what happened there, and I've no doubt it will be a highlight for Tiger for many years to come," he said. "I've done it myself, though not in a major, and it's a neat feeling." Meanwhile, the return of the main attraction to the 11th tee at lunchtime yesterday was somewhat subdued compared with the excitement of the previous day. It was as if the crowd were welcoming back an old friend.

This time there was no subterfuge, no secret arrival through the rear entrance. The blue mini-bus drove through the car-park down the service road to the same starting point he had used on Monday, in this format of two shotgun starts.

As if to illustrate how much he had become part of the carnival atmosphere, the star attraction looked out through the vehicle's window, smiling and waving at the crowds who followed him on foot down to the tee. And though a gusting wind remained, the course was bathed in sunshine. A change of team had him partnered with Nenagh GC member Tom Harty, former champion jockey Christy Roche and Kieran McManus, son of the tournament host.

As the players prepared to hit off, the crowd shouted "down, please" to the various officials surrounding them on the tee. Whereupon, much to their amusement, Woods went down on his hunkers.

Soon they were treated to a rare sight. After Woods had propelled the ball down the middle with the ultimate in modern technology, Harty produced a well-battered wooden-headed driver which, no doubt, he considered the safest option in such a pressurised situation. And as things turned out, he was right.

Meanwhile, Waterville could be highly significant in next week's British Open challenge by Woods. While relaxing there in the build-up to last year's event at Carnoustie, Stewart had told his young colleague: "The British Open is the best. It's original golf. A lot of Americans speak out against it; say they don't enjoy it. I just tell them not to bother. Stay away."

Recalling those words, spoken only three months before Stewart's tragic death, Woods said of his return to Waterville: "It'll feel pretty weird, very poignant. Payne, like the rest of us, loved the place so much. The people are so nice, so friendly. It is just like playing in Scotland."

He went on: "It is a wonderful way to prepare, not just from a golf standpoint, but also from a spiritual standpoint. I play better after a little time off, because I can prepare in solitude and peace."

Not that there has been much of either commodity over the last two days since his hectic hop from Chicago. Yet competing in Limerick seemed to fit beautifully into his grand pre-Open plan.

"It's good practice for what we may expect at St Andrews," he said of the windswept Ballyclough stretch. "You had to work the ball both ways in the wind and I really enjoyed it. In many ways, it had the sort of easy, relaxed feel that you get in a Wednesday pro-am back home. I just teed it up and let it go."

And what of all the talk about million-dollar appearance fees and various other inducements? Woods made no attempt to pooh-pooh what are clearly regular elements of his tournament activities. But in this circumstance he insisted: "I did it for J P. Simple as that."

Which, coming from a player who may one day become the greatest in the history of the game, was quite a tribute.