Ryder Cup: The USA team
Who are the players charged with retaining the Ryder Cup for the USA at Celtic Manor? We've got the skinny on the full line-up right here.
Phil Mickelson San Diego, California. Age: 40. World ranking: two
Ryder Cups: seven, matches played 30, won 10, halved 6, lost 14.
Majors: 4 (Masters 2004, 2006, 2010, PGA Championship 2005)
Brilliant on his day, notable for playing risky shots rather than opting for the safe option, this year's Masters winner should have cemented his position as golf's leading light in the wake of Tiger Woods' disappointing play this year. But since that victory in April his form has often been mediocre and failed to take advantage of several opportunities to replace Woods as the world No. 1 this year. Recently diagnosed with a form of arthritis, which explains the slump in form, though Mickelson says treatment for the illness has been successful.
Hunter Mahan Orange, California. Age: 28. World ranking: 14
Ryder Cups: one, matches played 5, won 2, halved 0, lost 3.
Majors: 0
Has captured two wins this year, including the prestigious WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Still living down comments he made prior to 2008 Ryder Cup, where he complained in histrionic terms about players being treated like "slaves" at the tournament.
Bubba Watson Age: 31. World ranking: 24
Ryder Cups: 0
Majors: 0
Aggressive, huge-hitter but highly suspect judgement - see terrible hit-and-hope decision at this year's PGA Championship play-off which gifted victory to Martin Kaymer. Well-liked by US audience, at least partly for his patriotism - was delighted to make it onto Ryder Cup team. Claimed first PGA Tour victory earlier this year at Travelers Championship in a play-off against Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.
Jim Furyk Age: 40. World ranking: five
Ryder Cups: six, matches played 24, won 8, halved 3, lost 13.
Majors: 1 (US Open 2003)
Three times a winner on the PGA Tour this year, having gone two years without a victory before 2010. Won the Tour Championship and $10 million bonus for landing the FedEx Cup in weekend prior to Ryder Cup. Veteran of several Cups but like Mickelson, not a hugely impressive record at the competition. Known for his unorthodox swing. Made headlines recently after being disqualified from US tournament for oversleeping - a rule that has since been changed in the wake of protests from Phil Mickelson.
Steve Stricker Age: 43. World ranking: four
Ryder Cups: one, matches played 3, won 0, halved 1, lost 2.
Majors: 0
Briefly the world No. 2 earlier this year after his victory at the Northern Trust Open. Also won the John Deere Classic this year, where he shot a career low 60 in the first round. Has failed to figure seriously in any of the year's majors. After playing well as Tiger Woods' partner at last year's President's Cup, may well find himself paired with Woods again. One of the finest putters in the game.
Dustin Johnson Age: 26. World ranking: 12
Ryder Cups: 0
Majors: 0
A winner at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this year. Also had the chance to win the far more prestigious US Open at the same venue in June, only to fall apart during the final round, shooting 82. To blow one major can be considered unfortunate, but also scuppered his chance to win the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in August after collecting a controversial penalty for grounding his club in a bunker (Johnson's argument being he didn't even know it was a bunker). Young enough to bounce back from those disappointments, though, and as one of the game's longer hitters could prove a handful at Celtic Manor.
Jeff Overton Age: 27. World ranking: 48
Ryder Cups: 0
Majors: 0
Yet to win on the PGA Tour, and along with Rickie Fowler, one of the first two players to make the USA Ryder Cup team without a tour victory. Does have three runner-up finishes and a pair of third places in 2010. Finished just outside the top 10 at the Open, though not a factor at the PGA Championship. Secured winning points at the Walkers Cup in 2005 as an amateur.
Matt Kuchar Age: 32. World ranking: 11
Ryder Cups: 0
Majors: 0
Threatened to win all season with 10 top-10 finishes. Won the Barclays Classic at the end of August to move into serious contention for the FedEx Cup. That win also saw him rise to No. 10 in the world. Finished tied for sixth place at the US Open, and 10th at the PGA Championship.
Tiger Woods Age: 34 World ranking: 1
Ryder Cups: five, matches played 24, won 9, halved 2, lost 13.
Majors: 14 (Masters 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, US Open 2000, 2002, 2008, Open Championship 2000, 2005, 2006, PGA Championship 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)
Off the course events have taken their toll in 2010, but even so managed two fourth-place finishes at majors this year, along with one missed cut (remarkable for Woods, hardly unknown for most players). Recent results indicate swift improvement from the horrific showing at Firestone two months ago. Long associated with US Ryder Cup malaise, but Woods' record is poorer than you'd expect partly because of unsuccessful team-ups, which can't be blamed entirely on the world No. 1. If he and Steve Stricker can rekindle their successful Presidents Cup partnership from last year, Woods can still pack a serious punch.
Zach Johnson Age: 34 World ranking: 19
Ryder Cups: one, matches played 4, won 1, halved 1, lost 2.
Majors: 1 (Masters 2007)
Only a winner once this year, at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, but did shoot a tournament record 21-under 259. Finished tied for third place at the PGA Championship. Previous record at Ryder not outstanding, but certainly dedicated to the cause; earlier this year, on his previous appearance at the competition, he said: "It is truly probably the best experience I've had in the game of golf and I hope I have more."
Stewart Cink Age: 37 World ranking: 35
Ryder Cups: four, matches played 15, won 4, halved 4, lost 7.
Majors: 1 (Open Championship 2009)
Just three top-10 finishes and one top five all season add up to a pretty undistinguished year so far. Missed the cut at the Masters and pretty anonymous at the year's other majors. Through no fault of his own, even Cink's solitary major win was slightly bittersweet as he beat many people's favoured winner, 59-year-old Tom Watson, in a play-off. Cink has impressed at previous Cups though, most memorably against Sergio Garcia in 2006 when he beat the Spaniard with some fine play in the singles.
Rickie Fowler Age: 21 World ranking: 33
Ryder Cups: 0
Majors: 0
Another player yet to win on the PGA Tour, Fowler is also the first man to play in the Ryder Cup in his rookie season. Fowler has two second place finishes this year, three in total, (he played his first PGA Tour events in Autumn 2009). Went undefeated at last year's Walker Cup, proving himself a team player, albeit not at this level. Pavin's greatest gamble, but one worth making; if he can keep his head, Fowler's youthful optimism may rub off on the rest of the team.
For European profile, click http://www.senore.com/Ryder-Cup-The-European-team-a29918.
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