Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are joining the rest of the American Ryder Cup team on their two-day visit to the K Club next Monday and Tuesday.

Captain Tom Lehman will be delighted. He believes the trip can pay massive dividends when it comes to the match itself in a month's time.

"It's worth its weight in gold," commented Lehman. "Guys have families and they have plans they've made and they alter them. While it's nice we get to fly in a chartered plans the bottom line is that it's a sacrifice to do it."

Woods originally was not expected to be part of the visit because of a commitment with his Foundation, but he said after an opening 67 in the Bridgestone world championship in Akron: "I'm going - we're all going.

"I've had to reschedule a couple of things. I've seen the K Club, but it's just to be with the guys. We are going there as a team - hang out, relax, play some golf. I can pass on a few titbits from playing there."

Woods has stopped at the K Club ahead of the Open championship in recent years, although not this summer.

However, Irish fans will not be granted access to the K Club during the American team's visit due to health and safety issues.

Lehman confirmed yesterday that a decision was taken due "to health and safety issues that our visit will create at a venue that is not yet built and is undergoing major construction."