Darren Clarke
Age: 31.
Born: Dungannon, N Ireland.
Tour wins: 5.
World ranking: 19.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P2, W1, L1.
Only man to have two rounds of 60 on the European Tour. Second was during the European Open at The K Club. Joint runner-up in 1997 British Open and runner-up to Colin Montgomerie on last year's Order of Merit. Used only once by Seve Ballesteros on first two days of debut - likely to have much bigger role this time.
Sergio Garcia
Age: 19.
Born: Castellon, Spain.
Tour wins: 1.
World ranking: 28.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Youngest ever player in cup and already a world star. Turned professional in April and needed only eight tournaments to qualify. Scored 62 in first US Tour round, won Irish Open, second at Loch Lomond (after another 62) and then, after horror 89, 83 to finish last at British Open, pushed Tiger Woods to the limit at USPGA. Played surely the shot of the year there from behind a tree.
Padraig Harrington
Age: 27.
Born: Dublin.
Tour wins: 1.
World ranking: 83.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Finished second in last two qualifying events to leap into side and make up for the disappointment of missing out by two shots in 1997. Three-time Walker Cup amateur, including win over Tiger Woods-led Americans in 1995. Won Spanish Open in rookie season and with Paul McGinley gave Ireland first ever World Cup victory two years ago.
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ
Age: 35.
Born: Malaga, Spain.
Tour wins: 5.
World ranking: 39.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Ferrari-driving former mechanic was Seve Ballesteros' right-hand man in 1997 win, and career has gone from strength to strength since. Needed three attempts to come through European Tour qualifying school but finally made it (along with Jesper Parnevik and Jean Van de Velde) in 1988. Best ever fourth on last year's money list.
Paul Lawrie
Age: 30.
Born: Aberdeen, Scotland.
Tour wins: 3.
World ranking: 49.
Majors: 1 (1999 British Open).
Caps: 0.
Produced biggest last-round comeback in major championship history to become shock winner of British Open last month. Was 10 shots behind, shot 67 and after Jean Van de Velde triple-bogeyed the last finished the four-hole play-off with two birdies to claim title. Was ranked 159th in world at the time and had come through qualifying tournament.
Colin Montgomerie
Age: 36.
Born: Glasgow, Scotland.
Tour wins: 26.
World ranking: 3.
Majors: 0
Caps: 4 (1991, 93, 95, 97).
Record: P18, W9, H3, L6.
Six-time European number one is on course to make that a magnificent seven after five wins already this season. Topped Ryder Cup points table, as he has every time since debut in 1991. Still waiting for elusive first major - second twice in US Open and once in USPGA - but has never lost Ryder Cup singles and gave Europe victory in deciding match last time.
Jose Maria Olazabal
Age: 33.
Born: Fuenterrabia, Spain.
Tour wins: 25.
World ranking: 24.
Majors: 2 (1994, 99 Masters).
Caps: 5 (1987, 89, 91, 93, 97).
Record: P25, W14, H3, L8.
Won emotional second US Masters title in April three years after he feared his future was in a wheelchair when rheumatoid arthritis in his feet was diagnosed - wrongly. Out of game for 18 months, then won third tournament back and returned to Ryder Cup under Seve Ballesteros, with whom he had formed most successful ever partnership.
Jarmo Sandelin
Age: 32.
Born: Imatra, Finland.
Tour wins: 4.
World ranking: 65.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Has become Swedish citizen and like Jesper Parnevik is extrovert character with outrageous tight-fitting clothes and crocodile-skin boots. Known for extra-long driver and best looking caddie in golf. She is his girlfriend. Won Spanish and German Opens this season but has been involved in controversy with Mark O'Meara, Phil Mickelson - and Lee Westwood.
Jean Van De Velde
Age: 33.
Born: Mont de Marsan, France.
Tour wins: 1.
World ranking: 89.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Looked certain to become France's first British Open champion since 1907 but amazingly lost threeshot lead on final hole at Carnoustie and then lost play-off. That triple-bogey seven earned him worldwide sympathy and fame. Only tour win was 1993 Rome Masters, but like Paul Lawrie is former European under-25 champion.
Lee Westwood
Age: 26.
Born: Worksop, England.
Tour wins: 16.
World ranking: 5.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P5, W2, L3.
Has risen to fifth in the world after seven wins last season and three more this year, including back-toback in recent Dutch and European Opens. Named 1998 European Golfer of the Year and in January married Laurae Coltart, sister of tour player Andrew. Led US Masters with nine to play in April. Partnered Nick Faldo on debut and rose to occasion.
Jesper Parnevik
Age: 34.
Born: Danderyd, Sweden.
Tour wins: 6.
World ranking: 16. Majors: 0.
Caps: 1 (1997).
Record: P4, W1, H2, L1.
Florida-based Swede won second US Tour title this season. Twice runner-up in British Open. Son of famous Swedish comedian, eats volcanic dust and likes to smoke cigar when putting for victory. Given wild card for second match running, although played in 1997 only after Miguel Angel Martin was dropped.
Andrew Coltart
Age: 29.
Born: Dumfries, Scotland.
Tour wins: 3.
World ranking: 69.
Majors: 0.
Caps: 0.
Shock selection for wild card after finishing 12th in points standings. Former Scottish boys' champion, turned professional in 1991, but had to wait until last season for his first European victory. Twice winner of Australian PGA title before that.
