European captain Nick Faldo kept his Ryder Cup plans under wraps on Tuesday by sending players out in threes on the opening morning of practice at Valhalla.

Faldo and assistant Jose Maria Olazabal gave a team talk, before Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen teed off ahead of the trio of Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell.

Robert Karlsson was paired with wildcards Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, while England's Justin Rose and Oliver Wilson joined Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

"It's an observation day - learning the course," Faldo commented.

Explaining the decision to play in threes he said: "Four is a crowd when you are chipping around the green, balls are flying everywhere. We decided collectively to look at the golf course, to test the sand and the greens."

The course was in good condition after an extensive clean-up operation following the damage caused by remnants of Hurricane Ike.

Rose said he was feeling refreshed and excited about his Ryder Cup debut, having enjoyed a break since he returned to Europe to secure his qualification for the team.

"Straight afterwards I came back to Florida, had a week of rest and then Poults and Henrik (Stenson) came to Lake Nona as well and we had a few games together," he said.

"It's great that the week is here now. It was a quiet night last night. Those who were on the plane were pretty much jet-lagged, so most went to bed about nine."

The American team teed off from the 10th and their captain Paul Azinger stuck to the more traditional pairings.

Kentucky duo Kenny Perry and JB Holmes were put together, playing with Jim Furyk and Boo Weekley.

Perry's caddie prompted the loudest cheer of the morning. He arrived after the other three players in the group had hit their opening drives.

Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard played alongside newcomers Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan, while Chad Campbell and Stewart Cink joined two more of the six new caps, Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis.

Tuesday's Ryder Cup practice groups:

Europe
Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Soren Hansen
Pardaig Harrington, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell
Robert Karlsson, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter
Justin Rose, Oliver Wilson, Miguel Angel Jimenez

United States
Kenny Perry/JB Holmes & Jim Furyk/Boo Weekley
Phil Mickelson/Justin Leonard & Anthony Kim/Hunter Mahan
Chad Campbell/Stewart Cink & Steve Stricker/Ben Curtis