Ryder Cup 2010: European Team

Here are the 2010 Ryder Cup European team player profiles:

European Ryder Cup Team 2010 in the flesh

CAPTAIN:
Colin Montgomerie

VICE-CAPTAINS:
Paul McGinley
Thomas Bjorn
Darren Clarke
Sergio Garcia
PLAYERS:

LEE WESTWOOD (ENG)

AGE: 37
WORLD RANKING: 3
RYDER CUP CAPS: 6
RECORD: W14 H5 L10
BEST PAIRING: KAYMER

Recovering well from a calf injury, Westwood is again poised to be Europe’s linchpin. Boasts a superb long game plus four top-three finishes in his last six Majors, and likely to impart invaluable experience.

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RORY MCILROY (NI)

AGE: 21
WORLD RANKING: 9
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: MCDOWELL

Enjoyed a breakthrough year in the US, with a majestic final 62 at Quail Hollow in May to seal his maiden PGA Tour title. Likes to be aggressive and can be irresistible. His natural audacity should be a perfect fit for matchplay.

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MARTIN KAYMER (GER)

AGE: 25
WORLD RANKING: 6
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: WESTWOOD

Sir Nick Faldo’s decision to take Kaymer to Valhalla in 2008 for the experience is starting to look like a masterstroke by a much-maligned Europe captain. The man from Düsseldorf was fearless in winning the US PGA in a play-off.

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GRAEME MCDOWELL (NI)

AGE: 31
WORLD RANKING: 13
CAPS: 1
RECORD: W2 H1 L1
BEST PAIRING: MCILROY

Proved a reliable performer in Europe’s defeat two years ago. His success in becoming the first European for 40 years to win a US Open should give him an extra edge for this confrontation.

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IAN POULTER (ENG)

AGE: 34
WORLD RANKING: 16
CAPS: 2
RECORD: W5 H2 L0
BEST PAIRING: FISHER

Attacking and abrasive, he has told his million-plus followers on Twitter that he could not be more “up” for this Ryder Cup. Europe’s leading scorer last time and the reigning World Matchplay champion.

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ROSS FISHER (ENG)

AGE: 29
WORLD RANKING: 27
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: POULTER

Quieter this season than in 2009, when he came close in two Majors, he has still found the form to purge his disappointment at missing out in Valhalla. Impressive in matchplay, his big-hitting game always yields its share of birdies.

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FRANCESCO MOLINARI (ITALY)

AGE: 27
WORLD RANKING: 32
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: MOLINARI

The younger half of the Molinari brothers, he teamed up with the elder Edoardo to win golf’s World Cup for Italy last year. A remorselessly accurate hitter, he has the consistency that this side craves.

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PETER HANSON (SWEDEN)

AGE: 32
WORLD RANKING: 42
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: JIMENEZ

Unheralded, but showed his commitment to the Europe cause by winning last month’s Czech Open to book a last-minute ticket. Maintains a strong Swedish tradition in the team and is a formidable driver of the ball.

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MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ (SP)

AGE: 46
WORLD RANKING: 26
CAPS: 3
RECORD: W2 H3 L7
BEST PAIRING: HANSON

With three victories in Europe already this season, arguably the form player, despite his vintage. The Spaniard is known for enjoying life’s finer pleasures; supremely popular in the team room.

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PADRAIG HARRINGTON (ROI)

AGE: 39
WORLD RANKING: 22
CAPS: 5
RECORD: W7 H3 L11
BEST PAIRING: DONALD

Conventional wisdom would suggest you do not leave out a three-time Major champion, but he is still Europe’s most controversial wild card. Has not won a Ryder Cup match since 2004.

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LUKE DONALD (ENG)

AGE: 32
WORLD RANKING: 8
CAPS: 2
RECORD: W5 H1 L1
BEST PAIRING: HARRINGTON

Conspicuous by his absence through injury in 2008, he has spent the season recapturing the form that has earned him a fortune in the US. Won the Madrid Masters to secure a wild card.

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EDOARDO MOLINARI (ITALY)

AGE: 29
WORLD RANKING: 15
CAPS: 0
BEST PAIRING: MOLINARI

Squeezed out Paul Casey for the final wild-card pick with three straight birdies to win the Johnnie Walker Championship, the last qualifying event. He has the power to make an impressive double act with brother Francesco.