STRAFFAN, Ireland, Sept 19 - U.S. captain Tom Lehman did not hesitate when asked to pinpoint any difference in Tiger Woods during the build-up to this week's Ryder Cup.

"I saw him sing and I can tell you right now, he can't sing," Lehman told reporters after team practice at the K Club on Tuesday.

World number one Woods, along with his 11 U.S. team mates, was made to sing his old college fight song at an Irish barbecue on Monday night.

Asked what Woods had sung, Lehman replied with a smile: "I've never heard it before and I couldn't recognise it when he was singing either."

A veteran of three Ryder Cups as a player, Lehman has worked hard all year to strengthen U.S. team unity, an area where holders Europe have held an advantage over the last two decades.

He believes the changed attitude of Woods, who has not previously been comfortable in the Ryder Cup arena, reflects how closely the 2006 American team have bonded.

"Watch him on the golf course, watch him on the driving range," the 47-year-old added.

"I watched him today from up on top of the hill on 11, and Brett Wetterich made a 15-foot putt for birdie and he walked over to high-five Tiger.

"And Tiger gave him a shove like 'get out of here, what are you doing?', just that kind of feeling. That's the kind of thing you do when you feel like you're comfortable with other people.

GREAT LENGTHS

"Tiger's gone to great lengths, I think, to make other people feel comfortable with him, and vice versa. He's been doing a great job."

Scott Verplank, one of Lehman's two wild-card picks, has revelled in his captain's team-building strategy.

"He is really big on making sure we have a lot of fun together and do a lot of funny, stupid things," he said.

"We're having to sing, and I can't sing. It's sad really."

Verplank said the U.S. team's surprise two-day trip to the K Club at the end of last month, orchestrated by Lehman, had been a huge success.

"It was one of the greatest little adventures that I've been part of," he added. "Now we're like 12 little kids just playing around, which has made a nice atmosphere for everybody.

"I really appreciate his approach. I think it's the right way to do it."

Team mate Stewart Cink, the other wildcard selection, agreed: "He's leading, which I really enjoy. He's telling where to go, who to play with, what time to be there.

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