Ryder CupPhilip Reid hears how Tiger Woods is determined the Ryder Cup will become a glorious part of his career path
This is the start of a new era for Tiger Woods, as far as the Ryder Cup is concerned. Sure he may have been the world's number one golfer on his previous four appearances for the United States, but Woods was a bit like an exotic fruit thrown into a barrel of apples.
He may not have felt out of place, but his presence on the team seemed to intimidate rather than to inspire.
In fact, if anyone was inspired, it was a player from the opposing team with the blue flag and gold stars of Europe engraved on leather.
Invariably when the time came for the handshake between opponents at the end of the match, it was Tiger who was uttering congratulations rather than the other way round.
It's an alien concept for a man who cherishes the "w" word - winning - more than any other.
His Ryder Cup record pales in comparison to his record-breaking individual crusade. Four match appearances, three losses. His personal stats read 7-11-2; that's seven wins, 11 losses and two halves.
Why Woods, the most dominant player of his generation, perhaps the greatest golfer the game has ever known, should flunk the exam set by the Ryder Cup is a mystery akin to that of the Shroud of Turin.
Everyone loves a mystery, and it seems that the one concerning Mr T Woods could yet be solved here at The K Club. Woods - a regular visitor to Straffan, particularly to indulge in some fly fishing on the Liffey - knows the course well.
He is comfortable in the surroundings. What is different this time compared to Valderrama and The Belfry and Oakland Hills, the scenes of his three defeats in the competition, is that, with the likes of Fred Couples and Davis Love gone, Woods has assumed the role of leader.
"I think Phil (Mickelson), myself and Jim (Furyk) have taken more of a leadership role, because we are veterans of the team," admitted Woods. When he made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, at Valderrama, Woods was content to let others lead.
"I just sat back and listened and learned. That's what you do, if you're a young person on the team . . . one day, if you're in that position, you can take up more of a leadership role and do just as good a job. Hopefully, the three of us can do that this week."
Despite understandably venting his ire yesterday at the publication in an Irish magazine of an article linking his wife, Elin, to pornography sites (the Dubliner last night issued a full scale apology, insisting the article was intended to be satirical), an issue which upset him and other members of the American team, Woods sought to retain his focus on endeavouring to lead the US to victory once play gets under way tomorrow.
It is expected that he will team up with Furyk, the world number two, in foursomes and fourballs.
Of his Ryder Cup record, Woods remarked: "It's disappointing. I haven't won points on the cups that I've been on, to win points for my team. I've always felt like it's a two-point swing (when he loses). Winning a point, losing a point, it feels like it's two points going the wrong way.
"And, unfortunately, I've got on the wrong end too many times. It's frustrating, because you feel like you've not only let yourself down, but you've let your team-mate down that you're playing with."
He added: "As far as me setting the tone (for the match), I would like to get a point for my team. You know, if and when I get put up, that's my responsibility to get points. And if I play in one match or all five, my responsibility is to get points.
"Hopefully I can do that this year. In years past, I haven't done that. I tried and unfortunately I just haven't done that. Hopefully this year I can get points."
His talk is that of someone determined that the Ryder Cup should become a glorious part of his career path, something to embellish his curriculum vitae rather than detract from it.
But Woods will play five matches, not one. US team captain Tom Lehman allowed himself a chuckle when he heard Woods make his comment, but it showed him just how much a part of the team that Woods is on this occasion.
This time round, Woods feels better tuned to the demands that he faces.
He showed leadership qualities off the course at the recent Bridgestone Invitational in Akron when he took it on himself to invite the US team's four rookies - Brett Wetterich, Zach Johnson, JJ Henry and Vaughn Taylor - to dinner.
And, here at The K Club, Woods even took his turn at singing a song at a team barbecue, even if the consensus afterwards was that he should stick to golf.
Of the demands of the Ryder Cup compared to how he prepares for majors and individual tournaments, Woods said: "The atmosphere is different. You're in a team format, (and) some of the guys haven't played much matchplay before. So, there's different changes: the strategy, the mental outlook that you need for matchplay situations. The overall concept of being on a Ryder Cup team is a lot different to when you're playing as an individual in each and every event . . . (and) you're adding the fact that you're playing for your country as well."
