The most consistent European golfer of the last two years and de facto “leader” out on the golf course. Westwood will be expected to show an example to the rookies. Fully fit, he might have been the strongest player on the team. But his recent injury, and the time it has taken for him to recover, must cast doubt on his contribution to the cause.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances 6 Matches played 29 Overall record (won-lost-halved) 14-10-5 Singles 2-4-0 Foursomes 6-2-3 Fourballs 6-4-2 Points won 16.5 Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Not since Tiger Woods made his Ryder Cup appearance at Valderrama in 1997 has a rookie’s debut been so anticipated, or so weighed down by expectations. The young Ulsterman is a bit of showman, with a voracious appetite for birdies – a risky approach in 72-hole strokeplay golf but one which will serve him well in the theatre of matchplay.
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The US Open champion struts down the fairway like a gunslinger and plays like one too. There are longer hitters on Montgomerie’s team, there are better putters and there are players with a more intimidating presence. Yet as McDowell proved over the back nine at Pebble Beach this summer, there is no one with such tungsten nerves. An ideal Ryder Cup player.
Previous appearances 1 Matches 4 Record 2-1-1 Singles 1-0-0 Foursomes 0-0-1 Fourballs 1-1-0 Points 2.5 Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
He is a big hitter, a terrific ball-striker, putts brilliantly under pressure and is on form, having won a major championship two weeks ago. Many people have made the case that Kaymer is the re-incarnation of Bernhard Langer. The truth is he could be even better than that. A major asset who can be expected to play in all five matches.
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In the absence of Sergio García, the job of providing some team joviality, as well as some trans-Atlantic needle, will fall to the spirited Englishman. He will also be expected to provide plenty of points, as he did at Valhalla two years ago, when he was Europe’s best and most consistent performer.
Previous appearances 2 Matches 7 Record 5-2-0 Singles 2-0-0 Foursomes 1-1-0 Fourballs 2-1-0 Points 5.0 Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
A surprise addition to the team who has made it there by virtue of his consistency during the qualification period. No doubt the Americans will view him as weak link – "Who is Peter Hanson?", one US journalist jeered this week – but the Swede travelled to the Czech Republic last week knowing he needed to win to make the team and he did. An ability to perform under maximum pressure augurs well for his Ryder Cup chances.
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The epitome of the modern player, which is to say he hits the balls miles and holes his share of putts. Fisher has the game to back up his evident confidence but he does rub some people up the wrong way. Hopefully, for Montgomerie, such people will all be on the American team at Celtic Manor.
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“He reminds me of me,” said Europe’s vice-captain Paul McGinley the other day. Molinari reminds other people of McGinley, too, which is to say he is consistent without ever being too flashy, and is widely respected by his peers. He has a wonderful swing but can only be described as an adequate putter. Even so, he should be a great asset in foursomes, where finding the fairway off the tee is a must.
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The popular Spaniard will ensure the European team room is well stocked with proper perspective and fine Rioja. He is a joy to be around, according to his peers, who also argue his talent is much under-appreciated, especially by those who judge golfers by the aesthetics of the swing rather than the scores on the board.
Previous appearances 3 Matches 12 Record 2-7-3 Singles 0-3-0 Foursomes 0-3-2 Fourballs 2-2-1 Points 3.5 Photograph: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images
Donald is an acquired taste for many, especially those who choose to judge his many near-misses over the years as evidence of weakness rather than proof that he is a worthy competitor at the highest level. Isn’t likely to scare any opponent with his arrival on the first tee but he might get their knees knocking when he finds every fairway and every green (as he often does).
Previous appearances 2 Matches 7 Record 5-1-1 Singles 1-1-0 Foursomes 4-0-0 Fourballs 0-0-1 Points 5.5 Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The great Irishman is also a great conundrum. What happened to the player who won three major championships in the space of 13 months? The answer is he has become the golfer he was before that glorious time, which is to say a consistent performer at the very highest level without ever dominating. Doesn’t have a great Ryder Cup record but Montgomerie could not leave out Europe’s only multiple major champion.
Previous appearances 5 Matches 21 Record 7-11-3 Singles 3-2-0 Foursomes 2-4-3 Fourballs 2-5-0 Points 8.5 Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The last man on the team is also the least experienced. Yet Molinari’s perceived rawness might work in his favour. For one thing, his opponents will probably underestimate him and, for another, it may well spur him in an effort show the sceptics the narrowness of their blinkered thinking. He won the World Cup with his brother, Francesco, and the two will form a strong partnership, on and off the course.
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