Strange insists Woods is a team player

For the Ryder Cup to end with an earthquake might be expected but for the week to start with one might be a bad omen. The tremor, centred on the West Midlands, was not apparently caused by Colin Montgomerie getting up for his pre-dawn work-out, nor Tiger Woods dropping his wallet after picking up another $1m (£640,000) for winning the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet.

Sam Torrance, Europe's captain, was among those whose sleep was disturbed. "I'm quite a heavy sleeper but there was something going on. I didn't know if it was the wife or what it was," the Scot said. "But Jesper Parnevik got a fright. He ran out on the balcony, starkers, I believe."

Given the security measures taken in the light of both the crowd behaviour at Brookline three years ago and last year's terrorist attacks, momentary confusion was understandable. "We worry about the fans," Curtis Strange said. "We ought to worry about earthquakes."

Few of the players had arrived at The Belfry by Sunday evening. Most of the Europeans drifted in yesterday afternoon while Strange, Torrance's opposite number, brought the majority of his team and the Cup over from Ireland yesterday morning.

The two captains then let some light-hearted banter provide a low-key start to the 34th transatlantic meeting. "Finally," the American sighed. "This is what we have looked forward to for three years. I'm glad to finally be here."

Tiger's assertion last week that there were a million reasons he would prefer to win there than here was, naturally, discussed. "I think we'd probably chip in and pay him a million this week," joked Torrance. Strange, however, gave short shrift to the world No 1's complaint about his practice and work-out routine being disturbed this week.

"It's been handled," Strange said. "He's a team player. We had dinner together last night and we discussed some things. Nothing changes. We will act as we always act. This whole week takes you out of your normal routine for any player, not just Tiger Woods.

"This week is different, but that's why I think everyone enjoys it. It's a long week. My guys are resting today, then we've got the practice rounds and there's the social functions we have to attend, which is fun. But when you come here, you are part of a team. I think we all know when Tiger Woods plays, he's ready to play, so he's the least of my concerns."

So, according to the captains, is the player behaviour following on from the 17th green celebrations at Brookline. "Tensions do run high," Torrance said. "Every so often it bubbles over. You realise you've done something wrong and start again. That's what we are doing for this Ryder Cup."

As for his message to the gallery, Torrance said: "Just be fair, that's all I ask. Support as loud as you want but never when someone is swinging or just before. Just the true etiquette of the game, which we all know and understand."

In response to the armed security around the complex, Strange said: "We feel quite comfortable and safe. We don't have any worries. We have all travelled around the world and this is not anything unusual."

Torrance revealed he knew all along that Montgomerie would play despite his back ­ "he was just stringing everyone along" ­ while Strange explained the American team room is adorned by a picture of Payne Stewart, who died in a aeroplane accident after the last match. "We wanted to do something to memory [sic] Payne with class and dignity and I think we have done that."