Age: 23 Caps: 1 P4 W1 L1 H2
Seems to have adopted a fresh fondness for the Ryder Cup after once infamously branding the event "an exhibition." Won his second major, the USPGA Championship, by eight shots earlier this month to return to No1 in the world rankings. Photograph: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Age: 32 Caps: 1 P4 3-1-0
Fourteen years after coming to prominence at the Open, Rose was third in the year USPGA, his best finish in a major championship. Earlier in the year, the Englishman claimed the WGC event at Doral. Currently ranked eighth in the world. Photograph: Andrew Innerarity/Reuters
Age: 33 Caps: 2 P8 4-2-2
Famed for a terrific playing temperament and competitive ability. Won the singles match which confirmed European victory at the 2010 Ryder Cup. Also enjoyed victory in the US Open in the same year but has failed to capitalise on decent chances of winning this year's US Open and Open. Photograph: David Levene/David Levene
Age: 43 Caps: 1 P5 3-1-1
Has won twice and enjoyed seven top 10 finishes in 2012, marking this as his finest season on the European Tour. The player with the most recent winning touch in the European team, after the Scot claimed the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on Sunday. Hasn't featured in a Ryder Cup since 1999. Photograph: Geoff Caddick/EPA
Age: 29 Caps: 1 P3 0-2-1
Widely regarded as one of the best iron players in the professional game. Unlike two years ago, Francesco won't have his brother, Edoardo, for company at the Ryder Cup as he recovers from a wrist injury. Defeated in a playoff at the Scottish Open in July but had earlier won the Spanish Open. Scotland Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA
Age: 34 Caps: 3 P11 8-2-1
Has proved unable to match stunning success of 2011, when Donald became the first player to end up as leading money winner on both sides of the Atlantic. Formidable foursomes record in the Ryder Cup but has still to claim a major championship. Photograph: David Levene/David Levene
Age: 39 Caps: 7 P33 16-11-6
Like Donald, is constantly reminded of shortcomings in majors. Matched a record set by Arnold Palmer when making a run of 10 Ryder Cup matches undefeated from 2006 to 2010. Europe's most experienced player. Photograph: Tony Ding/Icon SMI/ Tony Ding/Icon SMI/Corbis
Age: 32 Caps: 5 P24 14-6-4
Bounced back to winning ways by claiming the recent Wyndham Championship, the Spaniard's first PGA Tour victory in four years. Was edged out, though, by Nick Watney in the weekend's Barclays event at Bethpage. Has a well-quoted, strong passion for the Ryder Cup. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters
Age: 34 Caps: 1 P3 1-2-0
Four top three finishes in qualifying tournaments - including this year's Masters - booked Hanson's place in Jose Maria Olazabal's team. Had been the 54-hole leader at Augusta. Under-rated ball striker, noted for his accuracy. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins
Age: 27 Caps: 1 P4 2-1-1
Held onto his place in the European team despite a generally dismal 2012. Had been No1 in the world after winning the USPGA Championship in 2010, after which he opted on swing changes which seemed to have a detrimental impact, but has now slipped to 27th. Retains obvious talent, which Olazabal hopes he can rediscover. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins
Age 29 Caps 0
The wildcard defeated McDowell to win the Volvo World Matchplay title in May, an obvious benefit for any Ryder Cup competitor. One of the longest hitters in world golf and impressively made every tournament effort to qualify automatically for the European side. Photograph: Sergio Torres/AP
Age 36 Caps 2 P7 5-2-0
Also earned a wildcard in 2008 which proved perfectly justified. Third in this year's USPGA, at which point he moved into the automatic qualification spots, but was subsequently edged back out by Garcia's Wyndham win. Formidable matchplay performer who will relish the Ryder Cup more than most. Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
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