SEVEN years ago, Tom Lehman was saved from bankruptcy by a cheque for $25,000 as runner-up in the South African Open. Now, on a return visit here, financial concerns could hardly be further from his mind as he and Steve Jones attempt to capture a fifth successive World Cup for the US, starting at Erinvale this morning.

Both Americans are competing for the first time in this prestigious, $1.5 million end-of-season event, in which Ireland are represented by Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington. "The Irish are a good team but they're young and unfamiliar with this type of course," was yesterday's assessment by South Africa's Wayne Westner.

They seemed to cope rather well, however, by spearheading a winning score of 54 - 18 under par (best ball out of five) - in yesterday's pro-am in which Clarke carded two eagles and three birdies. But the main contribution came from New York-born Paul Ryan, a 13-handicap Waterville member, who completed the round with two net eagles.

Kikuyu fairways and fringes would certainly be unfamiliar to the Irish pair but Clarke, who drove the par-four 11th and was capable of getting close or onto the four par fives in two, said: "I like the course which seems to suit my game." Harrington, meanwhile, complained of some erratic striking but seemed totally at ease with his partner.

"Darren and I are getting on very well together and I like our chances," he said. Of the course, the Stackstown player said: "The wiry nature of kikuyu grass means that you have to hit the irons harder or use more club. But the bent greens have very little grain and are fine to putt on."

The big-hitting Westner has matured considerably since losing a play-off to Nick Faldo in the Irish Open at Killarney in 1992. And as a junior partner to Ernie Els, one suspects he will need calm nerves, given the level of expectation here regarding the local challenge. Indeed Els hardly helped his partner by claiming: "Everything is to our advantage."

Ireland are sixth of the 32 nations into action this morning, opposite the Argentinian pairing of Ricardo Golzalez and Jorge Alberto Berendt. Both these players are new to the World Cup but as tournament winners on the South American circuit this season, they are likely to be worthy competitors.

The compatibility of Harrington and Clarke is a critical factor, according to Lehman. "When I discussed our challenge with Davis (Love) he attributed his four victories with Fred (Couples) to the fact that they happened to like each other," said the British Open champion. "Steve and I are good friends. In fact I can't think of anyone I'd rather play with."

That much was evident from the final round of the US Open at Oakland Hills last June, when these born-again Christians behaved more like partners than rivals, Indeed Lehman began the round by urging Jones to victory with a quote from the Bible.

"I'm pleased to be back again in South Africa where I played three seasons," said Lehman. "Part of my golfing roots are here." As it happened, his savings had dwindled to a precarious $1,000 in 1989 when a second-place finish to compatriot Fred Wadsworth in the South African Open, represented financial salvation. Since then, he has never looked back.

The Americans are worthy favourites, followed by the South Africans, the Germans (Bernhard Langer and Alexander Cejka) and the Zimbabweans (Mark McNulty and Tony Johnstone). But Italy have a particularly interesting partnership in Costantino Rocca, and Manny Zerman.

Born in South Africa of Italian parents, Zerman's golfing skills were nurtured at the University of Arizona where he earned All American honours with Phil Mickelson. Interestingly, he represented South Africa at junior level but as an Italian citizen, played for Italy in the Eisenhower Trophy and the European Team Championship.

Rocca, who was runner-up for the individual award in Puerto Rico two years ago, is playing in his eighth World Cup. "I like this team competition because you meet players you don't see very often and that's good," he said. His partner Zerman, who turned professional in 1994, won the Manila Open earlier this year.

Ireland, who were tied sixth at Mission Hills, China last year when Clarke broke 70 in each round, have a proud record in this event. In fact they gained the distinction of becoming the first European winners of the then Canada Cup when Harry Bradshaw and Christy O'Connor Snr triumphed in Mexico City in 1958.

Since then, the country's best performance was at Grand Cypress, Orlando, in 1990 when David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty were tied second behind the victorious German duo of Langer and Torsten Giedeon. Indeed the occasion was enhanced from an Irish standpoint by a final round of 63 from Feherty which gave him a share of third place behind Payne Stewart in the individual section.

Though rain held off for most of yesterday, the weather remains somewhat unpredictable. Still, on the basis of approximate professional figures in the pro-am - Scotland's Andrew Coltart was five under - scoring is likely to be impressive, whatever the weather.

With local support, Els and Westner could be the team to beat, but if Harrington can sort out a few minor problems, the Irish challenge could be decidedly fruitful