The following 12 golfers will comprise the European team at this year's Ryder Cup:
Colin Montgomerie:
Age: 43
Country: Scotland
World Ranking: 15
Appearances: 7 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004)
The elder statesman of the European team, Montgomerie justified his wild card pick for the match in 2004 with a leading performance that included partnering Padraig Harrington to win the opening fourballs match against the "Dream Team" of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. His singles win over David Toms guaranteed Europe retained the trophy in a record-breaking win.
Robert Karlsson:
Age: 37
Country: Sweden
World Ranking: 42
Appearances: 0 (debut)
Enjoying his best season since turning professional in 1989. Has two wins this season, in the Wales Open and the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship of Europe, one of the tour's flagship events. Karlsson won his first five titles between 1995 and 2002, but then restructured his swing and changed his mental approach which has culminated in a stellar season in 2006.
Paul Casey:
Age: 29
Country: England
World Ranking: 28
Appearances: 1 (2004)
A proven team player, whether Ryder Cup, World Cup, Seve Trophy or, in his amateur days, in the Walker Cup. His two wins this season came in the Volvo China Open last November, and the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles in June. Made his Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills in 2004, where he teamed up with David Howell to win his only foursomes appearance, but lost to Tiger Woods in the singles.
Padraig Harrington:
Age: 35
Country: Ireland
World Ranking: 18
Appearances: 3 (1999, 2002, 2004)
Although his Ryder Cup qualification effectively came down to the wire, being sealed in Munich with his third second place finish of the season, Harrington has shown fine form over the summer that included a fifth place finish in the US Open followed in successive weeks by runner-up finishes in the Booz Allen Classic on the US Tour and the French Open. Unbeaten in singles in three Ryder Cup matches.
Paul McGinley:
Age: 39
Country: Ireland
World Ranking: 44
Appearances: 2 (2002, 2004)
When he won the Volvo Masters last November, it seemed as if McGinley - the hero of the Ryder Cup in 2002 - would cruise onto the team. It didn't turn out that way, as McGinley only secured his place at the conclusion of the final counting event in Munich after a season that included two top-10 finishes. A proven team player, McGinley has won two and halved three of his six matches.
Luke Donald:
Age: 28
Country: England
World Ranking: 10
Appearances: 1 (2004)
Although he doesn't win frequently, Donald is one of the most consistent players in the game. In his 15 outings on the European Tour in 2005, he didn't miss a cut, a feat he has replicated so far this season. He won the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour in March, his second tournament success in the US. Made his Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills, where he took two-and-a-half points out of four.
Sergio Garcia:
Age: 26
Country: Spain
World Ranking: 8
Appearances: 3 (1999, 2002, 2004)
Without a tournament win this season, Garcia has nevertheless demonstrated a return to form in recent months. He finished in a share of fifth place at the British Open at Hoylake and tied for third in the US PGA at Medinah.
An inspirational player, he claimed four-and-a-half points from a possible five in an unbeaten appearance in his third Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.
Henrik Stenson:
Age: 30
Country: Sweden
World Ranking: 17
Appearances: 0 (debut)
His eagle, winning putt in sudden-death in the International Open in Munich yesterday was the last competitive shot that Stenson will hit before he makes his debut in the Ryder Cup.
The victory was his second of the season, having won the Qatar Masters in February, and confirmed his emergence as one of the top players on the European Tour.
David Howell:
Age: 31
Country: England
World Ranking: 12
Appearances: 1 (2004)
Leads the PGA European Tour's money list for 2006, Howell - nicknamed "Cool Dude" by Tiger Woods for the manner in which he fended off the world number one in the season-opening HSBC Champions tournament in China - played in only two matches on his Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills, winning one and losing one, but is expected to play a bigger role at The K Club.
Jose Maria Olazabal:
Age: 40
Country: Spain
World Ranking: 16
Appearances: 6 (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999)
Although playing primarily on the US Tour these days, where he has had four top-10 finishes this season, including a third-place finish in the US Masters, Olazabal - who secured the 10th and last automatic qualifying place - returns to Ryder Cup duty after a seven-year absence.
Darren Clarke:
Age: 38
Country: Ireland
World Ranking: 22
Appearances: 4 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004)
His appearance will be emotional, but Clarke - "I certainly would not have considered making myself available unless I felt I could contribute to the cause" - has shown in his limited outings on tour this season a remarkable capacity to get into contention. On his third Ryder Cup appearance at Oakland Hills, Clarke showed he had evolved into one of the team's mainstays, taking three-and-a-half points out of five.
Lee Westwood:
Age: 33
Country: England
World Ranking: 47
Appearances: 4 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004)
Excels in the white-hot atmosphere of the Ryder Cup, where he has featured on three winning teams and has a personal record of 11½ points from 20 matches. He won four-and-a-half points from a five at Oakland Hills, and has shown indications of a return to form with challenging performances this season at the European Open, where he was fourth, and the Players Championship of Europe, where he was runner-up.
