But at least the Americans will have history on their side for they whitewashed England 3-0 on the third day of round robin play last year, a tie in which O'Meara, now the Masters and Open champion, beat England's top player, Lee Westwood.

Those two could meet again tomorrow although precise pairings had still to be determined and the 25-year-old Englishman, the world number eight who won his fifth title of the year at the Belgacom Open on Sunday, could find himself up against world number one Woods.

Yet the Americans could count themselves unlucky to have drawn England in their group for the English and Ireland, both twice winners of the event, were among the eight unseeded teams in the 16-team draw.

The other English players are former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker, world-ranked 112th, and Irish Open champion David Carter, ranked 120th.

The other seeds in the group are Sweden and they face Japan in their opening tie. 

Ireland's team comprises World Cup champions Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley along with Darren Clarke and they came out of the hat in group two against the fourth and fifth seeds, Spain and Scotland, along with China, making their first appearance at the event.

The Irish begin on Thursday against Spain, who are led by Jose Maria Olazabal. Scotland face China.

Third-seeded Zimbabwe, again with the team of Nick Price, Mark McNulty and Tony Johnstone who finished runners-up in 1995, are in a group with South African defenders Ernie Els, David Frost and Retief Goosen, Germany and France.

Australia and New Zealand, seeded second and seventh, have opening matches against Argentina and South Korea respectively.

Seedings were based on the cumulative world rankings of the leading two players on each team. Round robin play lasts the first three days with the semifinals involving the four group winners on Sunday morning followed by the final in the afternoon.