When Padraig Harrington teed up in his first Ryder Cup at Brookline three years ago, expectations on the then rookie were not substantial. Now with less than 48 hours to go before the Belfry showdown, the world number nine knows more is expected this time around.
"Obviously there is more expected of me, that's for sure...I'm not trying to play above myself, instead I have to play those expectations down, and just do my own thing," said Harrington after today's practice round with Paul McGinley and Swedish duo Niclas Fasth and Jesper Parnevik.
Asked if any money changed hands after the game, Harrington explained it was hard not to have a bet when one was in Parnevik's company: "We had a great match today. If you play with Jesper there are always so many bets going on."
In fact, the Irish contingent got the better of their Swedish counterparts having played the front nine in foursomes and finished all-square before reverting to foursomes on the back nine which Harrington and McGinley - World Cup winners in 1997 - won by one hole.
In his press conference Harrington went on to reveal that his most difficult personal battle in 1999 was coming to terms with nerves:
"It was similar to the nerves that I maybe felt playing my first Walker Cup in 1991. When you hit your first shot, you can't see the ball. Basically, as you're standing over the ball you have to say to yourself, 'I've got to hit it' when everything else around has gone blurred."
"That said, it's easier playing as rookie, you keep your head down and try to go about your business. When people have expectations you have to try and block those thoughts out and not let it go to your head. You try and play it down so you can perform to the best of your own abilities and not over perform," he added.
Four rookies; Niclas Fasth, Philip Price, Pierre Fulke and McGinley will make their Ryder Cup debut for Europe at some stage this week and Harrington emphasised, as one of the more experienced players, that his door is always open should anyone look for advice.
"I would talk to them, especially if they asked me. I have already talked to one or two of them about certain things but I certainly won't jump in there, I'm not that sort. Anyway there's other guys more experienced on our team who you can get more advice from," explained the modest Dubliner.
Bernhard Langer is by far the most experienced player on either team at the Belfry as the 45-year-old German prepares to embark on his 10th appearance in the Ryder Cup. Colin Montgomerie is next in line on the European side with five appearances to date.
Earlier today there was great camaraderie on display when Sam Torrance accompanied four of his disciples up the 18th and onto the famous closing green. The European captain punched the air as he strode onto the green, an action which resulted in the near full grandstand bursting into a roar as each player took their turn to putt out.
In this group, Darren Clarke caused the biggest cheer when he drained a 20 foot putt across the green for his birdie. There was no mention of money changing hands but with Thomas Bjorn alongside Price and Fulke, it's virtually certain some kind of wager gave the game an edge.
Witnessing this conclusion at the 18th spoke volumes as to the positive state of mind and cohesion between Torrance and his players. And while both captains kept news of Friday's pairings very close to their chest, you get the impression a few new combinations will be on show before long.