The golfing superstar has not enjoyed much success with playing partners in his four previous Ryder Cup outings and had an especially torrid time of it two years ago when his "dream" pairing with Phil Mickelson turned into a nightmare.

U.S. Ryder Cup players Tiger Woods hits a shot on the fourth tee during a golf practice for the Ryder Cup in County Kildare, Ireland, September 19, 2006. [Reuters]

In the middle of a brilliant run of five straight wins, Woods made it clear that he would be keen to link up again with Furyk. The two played together in last year's President's Cup and finished unbeaten.

Lehman is not obliged to stick with his practice combinations when the real thing gets going with Friday morning's fourballs but barring a major upset Woods and Furyk, ranked 1st and 3rd in the world, will open proceedings for the challengers.

Lehman said after the US team arrived in Dublin on Monday that he had already decided his line-up for the opening fourballs and had a good idea of who would also be playing in the afternoon foursomes on Friday.

Also looking set to play on Friday morning as expected if Tuesday's practice at the K-Club is anything to go by were Phil Mickelson in harness with Chris DiMarco and David Toms with Chad Campbell.

The final selection would likely be from two out of the three other pairings that worked out.

These saw Lehman's wildcard choices Scott Verplank and Stewart Cink taking in hand a rookie each in the shape of Brett Wetterich and JJ Henry.

The two other rookies in the US 12-strong team, Vaughn Taylor and Zach Johnson played together, but it was unlikely they would be in action on Friday's opening day of competition in the biennial competition.

Both the US and European teams arrived in Dublin on Monday and have three days of practice at the K-Club, 45 kilometres west of the Irish capital before Friday.

Four fourballs will get things going on Friday morning with four foursomes to follow in the afternoon. Saturday will see the same format with all 24 players in action on Sunday with the 12 closing singles ties.

Europe's first practice session got underway later in the morning with skipper Ian Woosnam teaming up his spearhead Colin Montgomerie with Englishman David Howell in his first group allying the Scot's huge experience in the competition with the Englishman's fine recent form.

The Welshman then followed the nationality card by pairing Swedes Robert Karlsson with Henrik Stenson, Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal with Sergio Garcia, Irishmen Paul McGinley with Padraig Harrington and Englishmen Paul Casey with Luke Donald.

In the final pairing he brought together again old friends and Ryder Cup partners Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.

Local players McGinley and Harrington in particular would be a huge draw on the occasion of Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time. They have played many times together both in the Ryder Cup and for Ireland in World Cup events.

Casey and Donald enjoy playing with each other having won the World Cup for England in Mexico in 2003, while Garcia's pinpoint accuracy off the tee looks ideally suited to complement Olazabal's peerless iron play.

Clarke and Westwood have played with each before at Ryder Cups and are close friends. The 38-year-old Ulsterman will draw a big crowd as he continues his return to action following the death from cancer last month of his wife Heather.