Ryder Cup Team Capsules
Associated Press
Web Posted: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006; 3:55 p.m. ET
TIGER WOODS
• Age: 30.• World ranking: 1.
• Ryder Cups: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 7-11-2.
• PGA Tour victories: 53.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at Doral, British Open, Buick Open, PGA Championship, Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank Championship.
• Majors: 12.
• Ryder Cup moment: Losing to former factory worker Costantino Rocca in singles at his first Ryder Cup.
• Backspin: Has won four majors since the last Ryder Cup and warmed up for these matches with five straight PGA Tour victories, the longest single-season streak of his career. Expectations will be higher than ever, and any loss will be inspirational for Europe. He has asserted himself as a leader of this team, and his attitude could make a difference.
PHIL MICKELSON
• Age: 36.• World ranking: 3.
• Ryder Cups: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 9-8-3.
• PGA Tour victories: 29.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: BellSouth Classic, Masters.
• Majors: 3.
• Ryder Cup moment: One-hopping his tee shot off the out-of-bounds fence on the 18th hole in foursomes while paired with Tiger Woods in 2004, leading to a penalty drop and costing them the match.
• Backspin: Once the American star of the Ryder Cup, he now is the question mark. He puts so much into the majors that he is out of gas after August, a problem because the Ryder Cup is played in September. Hasn't hit the ball great since his Masters victory, but really only needs his "B" game to produce. Took two weeks off to rest, another week to practice. He came out of the doldrums to win the '05 PGA Championship, so he could easily turn his game around now.
JIM FURYK
• Age: 36.• World ranking: 2.
• Ryder Cups: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 4-9-2.
• PGA Tour victories: 12.
2006 PGA Tour victories: Wachovia Championship, Canadian Open.
• Majors: 1.
• Ryder Cup moment: Losing a 2-up lead with six holes to play in 2002 against Paul McGinley, who halved their match with an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole to clinch victory for Europe.
• Backspin: Had a solid year in the majors and picked up his second win of the year at the Canadian Open, moving him to No. 2 in the world and likely giving the U.S. another team of the world's Nos. 1-2 players -- only difference being Woods and Furyk will speak to each other. Their distance is nothing alike, and neither is their swing. What made them a success at the Presidents Cup was their putting, the way they think and their toughness.
CHAD CAMPBELL
• Age: 32.• World ranking: 20.
• Ryder Cups: 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 1-2-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 3.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: Bob Hope Classic.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Making a 35-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole at Oakland Hills for a 1-up lead in pivotal fourball match, then missing an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole to lose the match.
• Backspin: He can be tough to beat or a pushover, depending mostly on his putter. Started the year strong with a runner-up in Honolulu and a victory in the Bob Hope Classic. He has been fairly quiet the rest of the year, and noticeably absent in the final three majors. One year of experience might help him this time around.
DAVID TOMS
• Age: 39.• World ranking: 14.
• Ryder Cups: 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 4-3-1.
• PGA Tour victories: 12.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: Sony Open.
• Majors: 1.
• Ryder Cup moment: Going 3-1-1 as a rookie at The Belfry in 2002, beating Sergio Garcia in singles.
• Backspin: His only victory came in the second tournament of the year. Missed the British Open and much of the summer with a bad back, but answered questions about his fitness with a respectable showing at the PGA Championship (T16) and at Firestone (T8). He's had a successful partnership with Mickelson, but might be spending more time with Campbell.
CHRIS DIMARCO
• Age: 38.• World ranking: 15.
• Ryder Cups: 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 2-1-1.
• PGA Tour victories: 3.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: The only American with a winning record at Oakland Hills.
• Backspin: Known for his passion, which raises expectations of him as a player. Hasn't won on the PGA Tour in four years, and might not have made this team except for one good week, when he was runner-up to Tiger Woods at the British Open. Injured his ribs in February and didn't really recover until July. He likely will be with Mickelson most of the week, which could either be a juggernaut or a row boat.
VAUGHN TAYLOR
• Age: 30.• World ranking: 59.
• Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 2.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Brought into the press room before the British Open so the European media could see who he was.
• Backspin: One of two U.S. rookies who has never competed officially in match play. A quiet personality belies a fierce temper and a player with exceptionally high standards. Lanky in physique and long off the tee. His only two victories were opposite-field events, but he came through at the Buick Open to tie for fourth with a Ryder Cup berth on the line.
J.J. HENRY
• Age: 31.• World ranking: 62.
• Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 1.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: Buick Championship.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Played with Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk during two-day practice session at The K Club.
• Backspin: Considered one of the best players without a PGA Tour victory until he won for the first time before a hometown crowd at the Buick Championship in Hartford. Hits it plenty long, and should stay in his matches because he hits a lot of greens. But putting is what kept him from winning sooner, and that might be the one area that gets exposed in Ireland.
ZACH JOHNSON
• Age: 30.• World ranking: 40.
• Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 1.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Spent two days of practice rounds with Tom Lehman at the British Open, then missed the cut.
• Backspin: Nothing fancy about him or his game. Solid performer on the Nationwide Tour when he was player of the year, then won the BellSouth Classic as a rookie. Hasn't won in two years, and earned a spot on this team despite missing the cut in the last three majors. Hasn't had a top 10 since he tied for second at the Memorial.
BRETT WETTERICH
• Age: 33.• World ranking: 65.
• Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 1.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: Byron Nelson Championship.
• Majors: None.
Ryder Cup moment: Didn't meet Tiger Woods until four days after he made the team.
• Backspin: Believed to be the only player to go from Q-school to the Ryder Cup in one year, which is why he's the biggest unknown on this team. First big gallery was when he played with Michelle Wie the first two days of the Sony Open in 2005. The biggest hitter on this U.S. team who also makes a ton of birdies. He could be a sleeper at The K Club.
STEWART CINK
• Age: 33.• World ranking: 23.
• Ryder Cups: 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 2-4-1.
• PGA Tour victories: 4.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Has made only four birdies in his two singles matches, both losses, neither reaching the 18th hole.
• Backspin: A late run of top fives put him in position to be a captain's pick. Doesn't do anything extraordinary, but can get on a roll with his belly putter and generally keeps the ball in play. Has not won since Firestone in 2004. Played with Zach Johnson in the World Cup last year, when the United States tied for 17th in a 24-team field, its worst finish ever.
SCOTT VERPLANK
• Age: 42.• World ranking: 34.
• Ryder Cups: 2002.
• Ryder Cup record: 2-1-0.
• PGA Tour victories: 4.
• 2006 PGA Tour victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Won the first three holes and never gave Lee Westwood a chance in winning his singles match at The Belfry.
• Backspin: Battled arm injuries this summer that slowed his progress. He hasn't won a PGA Tour event in five years. Among the straightest drivers on the PGA Tour and a very good putter (often called "Kerplunk" for so many putts going in the hole). Made a strong debut in 2002 when he was the first Ryder Cup rookie to be a captain's pick. Hasn't won on the PGA Tour in five years.
WHY THE U.S. WILL WIN
• Something to Prove: After losing the last two, four of the last five and seven of the last 10, the United States should be suitably motivated to bring Samuel Ryder's Cup back to American shores, especially after NBC's Johnny Miller said this U.S. team may be the worst in the history of the event.• World's Top Three Players: The United States will field a team that includes the world's top three players -- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk -- and all are being counted on to provide a significant number of points for their side, along with Cup veteran Chris DiMarco, the hero of last September's American victory in the Presidents Cup.
• Underrated Rookies: The Americans have four rookies, including Zach Johnson, and the Europeans may simply take them for granted. That's a mistake, because all four have won PGA Tour events and have plenty of experience under pressure in the heat of Sunday contention. All of them also played their way onto the team.
EUROPE
HENRIK STENSON
• Age: 30.• Country: Sweden.
• World ranking: 11.
• Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• Career victories: 4.
• 2006 victories: Qatar Masters, BMW International Open.
• Majors: None.
Ryder Cup moment: Won final qualifying tournament to finish first in Ryder Cup standings.
• Backspin: His victory in the BMW International Open, hitting 5-iron into 5 feet for eagle in a playoff, showed his strength. The tall Swede is a powerful player capable of making a bunch of birdies. But he struggled with his game for six months until showing signs of life at the PGA Championship. Having a fellow Swede (Karlsson) on the team won't hurt.
LUKE DONALD
• Age: 28.• Country: England.
• World ranking: 10.
• Ryder Cups: 2004
• Ryder Cup record: 2-1-1.
• Career victories: 4.
• 2006 victories: Honda Classic.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Recorded 261/27 points for Europe in his debut at Oakland Hills.
• Backspin: In only his second cup, has emerged as one of the European stars. Honda Classic win was important, because he was becoming known as a player who couldn't finish. Shared the 54-hole lead with Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship, then failed to make a single birdie on the final day. Made a tough tandem with Sergio Garcia in foursomes two years ago.
SERGIO GARCIA
• Age: 26.• Country: Spain.
• World ranking: 8.
• Ryder Cups: 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 10-3-2.
• Career victories: 13.
• 2006 victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Going unbeaten in four team matches as a 19-year-old rookie at Brookline.
• Backspin: The guy who can't seem to win a major can't seem to lose in the Ryder Cup. Made a stunning debut at Brookline in 1999 and hasn't let up, already contributing 11 points in three Ryder Cups. Great year driving and with irons, but his putting was exposed as a major weakness at the British Open and PGA Championship.
DAVID HOWELL
• Age: 31.• Country: England.
• World ranking: 12.
• Ryder Cups: 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 1-1-0.
• Career victories: 5.
• 2006 victories: BMW Championship.
• Majors: None.
Ryder Cup moment: Hitting 6-iron into 8 feet on the par-3 17th to square his fourball match that snuffed out a U.S. rally. It later was voted the "Shot of the Year" on the European tour.
• Backspin: Only played one team match at Oakland Hills, but it was a doozy. His 6-iron to 8 feet might have been the signature shot for Europe two years ago. A very solid player, although he has struggled to put four good rounds together and has had a couple of 80s pop up on his card. As for mettle, he went toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods and beat him in Shanghai last fall at the HSBC Champions.
COLIN MONTGOMERIE
• Age: 43.• Country: Scotland.
• World ranking: 16.
• Ryder Cups: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 19-8-5.
• Career victories: 33.
• 2006 victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Threading the cork trees for a perfect tee shot on the 18th hole at Valderrama in 1997 in a singles match against Scott Hoch that virtually ensured victory for Europe.
• Backspin: This will be his eighth team, making him undisputed veteran of this exhibition. Needs three points to replace Nick Faldo as the most successful European player in Ryder Cup history. Blew his best chance ever to win a major when he chunked a 7-iron from the fairway at Winged Foot on the last hole of the U.S. Open. Hasn't been heard from since, but the Ryder Cup brings out his best.
PAUL CASEY
• Age: 29.• Country: England.
• World ranking: 27.
• Ryder Cups: 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 1-1-0.
• Career victories: 6.
2006 victories: Johnnie Walker Championship.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Asking to go out first in Sunday singles so he could take on Tiger Woods and losing 3 and 2, even though Woods' game was at perhaps its lowest level.
• Backspin: An exciting, streaky player who resembles Phil Mickelson because of his capacity to make birdies. Won the Johnnie Walker in Australia earlier this year, but again didn't threaten in any of the majors. Trailed by one shot at Firestone and was tied for the lead at the turn until he fell apart on the back nine. His anti-American comments made last year at the World Cup won't hurt him in Ireland.
ROBERT KARLSSON
• Age: 37.• Country: Sweden.
• World ranking: 44. • Ryder Cups: Rookie.
• Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.
• Career victories: 7.
2006 victories: Wales Open, Deutsche Bank Players Championship.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Being mysteriously left off the 1999 team, even though he was higher in the European standings than Andrew Coltart and neither had played in a Ryder Cup.
• Backspin: Joins fellow Swede Henrik Stenson as the only multiple winners on the European team. A tall, strong player who should have been in the Ryder Cup seven years ago. Captain Mark James took Andrew Coltart of Scotland, then didn't play him until Sunday. Karlsson likely will be paired with Stenson. He is a steady player who could deliver a few surprises.
PADRAIG HARRINGTON
• Age: 35.• Country: Ireland.
• World ranking: 17.
• Ryder Cups: 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 7-4-1.
• Career victories: 14.
• 2006 victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Walking all the way up to the 17th green to check the pin position during his singles match at Brookline, which he eventually won against Mark O'Meara.
• Backspin: Always tinkering with his game, and this time he didn't quite find it. Coming off two victories on the PGA Tour a year ago, he has failed to win anywhere in the world and risks going without a victory for the first time since 1999. Will still be a valuable asset because of his grit, citizenship and leadership. A great thinker and competitor.
PAUL MCGINELY
• Age: 39.• Country: Ireland.
• World ranking: 52.
• Ryder Cups: 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 2-1-3.
• Career victories: 8.
2006 victories: None.
• Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Holing an 8-foot par putt in 2002 at The Belfry that clinched victory for Europe.
• Backspin: Having a poor year, and somehow made the team despite missing the cut at the BMW International Open. Skipped the PGA Championship after Darren Clarke's wife died, and while he played poorly at Firestone, he spent hours on the range trying to bring his game around. A gritty player and clutch putter, as he showed four years ago by making the clinching putt.
JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL
• Age: 40.• Country: Spain.
• World ranking: 18.
• Ryder Cups: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999.
• Ryder Cup record: 15-8-5.
• Career victories: 29.
• 2006 victories: None.
• Majors: Masters (1994, 1999).
• Ryder Cup moment: Before hitting a wedge into the 17th at the Belfry in 1993, he asked fourball partner Joakim Haeggman to go up to the green and mark his ball, which was 3 feet in front of the cup. Olazabal's shot then hit the flag and stopped inches away.
• Backspin: Playing in the Ryder Cup for the first time since he was the victim of Justin Leonard's 45-foot birdie putt in 1999. Monty has played more matches, but Olazabal could be the heart of this team. He could also be the lightning rod, having played most of his golf on the PGA Tour and skipping out on the final qualifying event when he was on the bubble. His relationship with Ian Woosnam isn't the best.!
DARREN CLARKE
• Age: 38.• Country: Northern Ireland.
• World ranking: 21.
• Ryder Cups: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 7-7-3.
• Career victories: 15.
• 2006 victories: None.
• Majors: Majors.
• Ryder Cup moment: Going 3-2 against Tiger Woods in team matches with four different partners.
• Backspin: Likely will be the most emotional tournament he ever plays. He played exceptionally well considering his wife was dying of cancer the last two years. He stopped playing after the British Open, and Heather Clarke died Aug. 10. His focus inside the ropes should be fine. The tough part might be walking into opening ceremony without his wife at his side. Still, his presence might be a tremendous rallying point for the Irish crowd and European team.
LEE WESTWOOD
• Age: 33.• Country: England.
• World ranking: 47.
• Ryder Cups: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004.
• Ryder Cup record: 11-8-1.
• Career victories: 26.
• 2006 victories: None. • Majors: None.
• Ryder Cup moment: Made a 4-foot par putt on the 18th at Oakland Hills that ensured Europe would retain the cup. It was his first singles victory in the Ryder Cup.
• Backspin: Hasn't won in three years and didn't play particularly well this year. He was a captain's pick over Thomas Bjorn, presumably because of his two victories at The K Club and his relationship with Clarke. Has posted a winning record in the Ryder Cup, but not the most impressive compared with his peers. After the way Bjorn criticized Woosnam - although he congratulated Westwood - the Englishman might be under more scrutiny than usual. His victory over Kenny Perry at Oakland Hills was his first in singles.
WHY EUROPE WILL WIN
• On a Roll: History is definitely on the Europeans' side, especially coming off their 1861/27 to 961/27 drubbing of the Americans at Oakland Hills in 2004. Save for a miracle finish that allowed the United States to rally and win in 1999, the Europeans could have come into this event with a five-Cup winning streak.• The Legend of Monty: Colin Montgomerie has emerged as one of the greatest players in Cup history, even if he's never won a major title. The Scotsman with the volcanic temper has a 19-8-5 record, has never lost in seven singles matches and two years ago was 3-1, lifting his team to its greatest victory margin in Cup history.
• Better Camaraderie: The Europeans clearly seem to have great camaraderie and better bonding in their team room, perhaps because they all seem to get great pleasure and satisfaction in slaying the American dragon despite being the underdog for so many years. Until now.
