European Ryder Cup Capsules
By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press
Web Posted: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004; 12:18 p.m. EDT
A capsule look at the 12 players on the European team for the 35th Ryder Cup matches, to be played Sept. 17-19 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (listed in order of how they made the team):
Padraig Harrington
Age: 33.
Country: Ireland.
World ranking: 9.
Career victories: 9.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: 1999, 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 3-3-1.
Ryder Cup moment: Walking from the 17th fairway all the way to the green to look at the hole location during his '99 match against Mark O'Meara.
Backspin: The highest-ranked European, but his game might be the worst off coming into the matches. Missed the cut at the British Open, was middle of the pack at the PGA and bottom of the pack at Firestone. Tireless worker on the range, constantly tinkering with his swing. Is unbeaten in his two singles matches.
Sergio Garcia
Age: 24.
Country: Spain.
World ranking: 11.
Career victories: 13.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: Byron Nelson Championship, Buick Classic.
Ryder Cup experience: 1999, 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 6-3-1.
Ryder Cup moment: Running down the 18th fairway to celebrate Europe's victory at The Belfry as two matches were still in progress.
Backspin: A lost year refining his swing was worth the wait - two wins on the PGA Tour that allowed him to easily qualify for his third team. He has much more control off the tee, although his putting comes and goes. Has never lost an alternate-shot match and already is compiling a stellar Ryder Cup record.
Darren Clarke
Age: 36.
Country: Northern Ireland.
World ranking: 16.
Career victories: 12.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999, 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 4-6-2
Ryder Cup moment: Has beaten Tiger Woods twice with different partners.
Backspin: No chance his previous Ryder Cup uniforms would fit - he has dropped close to 40 pounds in a bid to become more fit. He's still waiting for the results, having gone without a victory this year. Has come close a few times, most noticeably the PGA Championship. Could return to partnership with good friend Lee Westwood.
Miguel Angel Jimenez
Age: 40.
Country: Spain.
World ranking: 21.
Career victories: 11.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: Johnnie Walker Classic, Portugal Open, Asian Open, BMW International Open.
Ryder Cup experience: 1999.
Ryder Cup record: 1-2-2.
Ryder Cup moment: Assistant captain to Seve Ballesteros at Valderrama.
Backspin: His four victories this year are the most by any player on either side. His hair is unlike any player on either side, dyed orange with waves of curls, giving way to the nickname among caddies "Miguel Angel Jimi Hendrix." Also known as the mechanic for his blue-collar look, but his game commands pure respect.
Lee Westwood
Age: 31.
Country: England.
World ranking: 42.
Career victories: 26.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999, 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 7-8-0
Ryder Cup moment: Has lost all three of his singles matches.
Backspin: A remarkable plunge from No. 4 in the world to out of the top 200, and now on his way back. No victories this year, but won in Germany during the Ryder Cup qualifying season, and he showed strong form at Royal Troon by finishing fourth, his best ever in a major. Has returned to being a very dependable player for Europe.
Thomas Levet
Age: 36.
Country: France.
World ranking: 43.
Career victories: 3.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: Scottish Open.
Ryder Cup experience: Rookie.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
Ryder Cup moment: Joins Jean Van de Velde as only Frenchmen in the Ryder Cup.
Backspin: First gained national attention by taking Ernie Els five playoff holes in the first British Open (2002 at Muirfield) decided by sudden death, then put together strong weeks by winning at Loch Lomond and contending the entire week at Royal Troon. A fearless player who doesn't get too caught up in the hype.
Paul Casey
Age: 27.
Country: England
World ranking: 28.
Career victories: 3.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: Rookie.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
Ryder Cup moment: Nearly picked by Sam Torrance in 2001 as a European tour rookie.
Backspin: Has been touted for several years as England's next bright star. Two shots out of the lead going into the final round at the Masters, where he tied for sixth. Broke Tiger Woods' scoring record in the Pac 10 Championship (played for Arizona State).
David Howell
Age: 29.
Country: England.
World ranking: 66.
Career victories: 2.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: Rookie.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
Ryder Cup moment: Made team despite no victories during year of qualifying.
Backspin: Holed winning putt at the '95 Walker Cup, but success limited as a professional. Won Australian PGA in '98 and the Dubai Desert Classic a year later, but now going on five years without a win. Broke his arm two years ago when he fell while jogging. Not a household name among golf's elite, which makes him the perfect candidate to star for Europe in these matches.
Paul McGinley
Age: 37.
Country: Ireland.
World ranking: 64.
Career victories: 3.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 0-1-2.
Ryder Cup moment: Made an 8-foot par putt to clinch the cup for Europe at The Belfry.
Backspin: No one suspected he would get another chance this year until a late surge landed him on the team - a tie for second in the KLM Open, a closing 69 at Whistling Straits for a T6 at the PGA Championship and a solid week in Germany. Along with Jimenez, is probably Europe's hottest player going into the matches.
Ian Poulter
Age: 28.
Country: England.
World ranking: 58.
Career victories: 5.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: None.
Ryder Cup experience: Rookie.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
Ryder Cup moment: Making a quadruple bogey in the final qualifying tournament for the Ryder Cup, then playing final eight holes 6 under to secure his spot on the team.
Backspin: Might not be recognized in a team uniform at Oakland Hills. Best known for his Union Jack trousers at the British Open, Stars & Stripes pants at the PGA Championship and his pink knickers. Not afraid to bring attention to himself and probably won't be easily spooked at the Ryder Cup.
Colin Montgomerie
Age: 41.
Country: Scotland.
World ranking: 60.
Career victories: 36.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: Singapore Masters.
Ryder Cup experience: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002.
Ryder Cup record: 16-7-5.
Ryder Cup moment: Going 6 under in 14 holes to whip Scott Hoch and set the tone for '02 victory at The Belfry.
Backspin: First time to play as a captain's pick, but a no-brainer. Brings a wealth of experience, not to mention the highest-winning percentage among those to have played in at least five cups. Has never lost a singles match. Two years ago, never trailed in any of the 82 holes he played at The Belfry.
Luke Donald
Age: 26.
Country: England.
World ranking: 35.
Career victories: 3.
Majors: None.
2004 victories: Scandinavian Masters, European Masters.
Ryder Cup experience: Rookie.
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
Ryder Cup moment: Gave up trying to make the team in May, then rejoined the European tour.
Backspin: Just like Stewart Cink, backed up his captain's pick by winning the European Masters the following week. Starred for Britain in the Walker Cup, then won in his rookie season on the PGA Tour. Compensates for moderate drives with solid iron play, a good short game and a presence that suggests maturity beyond his years. Former NCAA champion at Northwestern, still lives in the Chicago area.
© 2004 Associated Press | 
