LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A capsule look at the United States team for the Ryder Cup, listed in order of making the team, followed by four captain's picks. The Ryder Cup starts Friday at Valhalla Golf Club.
PHIL MICKELSON
Age: 38
World ranking: 2
Majors: Masters (2004, 2006), PGA Championship (2005)
Career victories: 35
2008 victories: Northern Trust Open, Crowne Plaza Colonial
Ryder Cup teams: 6
Ryder Cup record: 9-12-4
Ryder Cup moment: Losing to Phillip Price, ranked No. 119 in the world, in a pivotal singles match at The Belfry in 2002.
Backspin: Has not won a singles match since 1999. With Tiger Woods out, he'll be the highest-ranked player on the U.S. team for the first time. Putting has been frustrating for him during a four-month winless drought.
STEWART CINK
Age: 35
World ranking: 11
Majors: None
Career victories: 5
Ryder Cup teams: 3
Ryder Cup record: 3-5-4
2008 victories: Travelers Championship
Ryder Cup moment: Beating Sergio Garcia in singles at The K Club.
Backspin: Perhaps the most reliable U.S. player during the last two blowouts. He is unbeaten in alternate shot. Has not finished in the top 30 since winning in Hartford three months ago.
KENNY PERRY
Age: 48
World ranking: 20
Majors: None
Career victories: 12
2008 victories: Memorial, Buick Open, John Deere Classic
Ryder Cup teams: 1
Ryder Cup record: 0-2-0
Ryder Cup moment: Losing both his matches at Oakland Hills in 2004.
Backspin: Made the Ryder Cup his only priority this year, saying this will make or break his career. Played only one round in the four majors this year. No other American has won more times this year. Figures to either thrive or suffocate from hometown support.
JIM FURYK
Age: 38
World ranking: 9
Majors: U.S. Open (2003)
Career victories: 13
2008 victories: None
Ryder Cup teams: 5
Ryder Cup record: 6-12-2
Ryder Cup moment: Beating Sergio Garcia in a pivotal singles match during the American comeback at Brookline.
Backspin: Highest-ranked player without a victory this year. Has a 3-1-1 record in singles. He has had 10 partners in his five Ryder Cups, even after playing all four team matches with Tiger Woods the last time. Played well in FedEx Cup and could be rounding into form.
ANTHONY KIM
Age: 23
World ranking: 10
Majors: None
Career victories: 2
2008 victories: Wachovia Championship, AT&T National
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: Played in the '05 Walker Cup, and like Tiger Woods, lost in Sunday singles, to short-hitting Gary Wolstenholme.
Backspin: The youngest player at this Ryder Cup, and perhaps the most explosive. Won his first two PGA Tour events on storied courses Quail Hollow and Congressional. Wants to partner with Phil Mickelson.
JUSTIN LEONARD
Age: 36
World ranking: 23
Majors: British Open (1997)
Career victories: 12
2008 victories: Stanford St. Jude Championship
Ryder Cup teams: 2
Ryder Cup record: 0-3-5
Backspin: First Ryder Cup since his 45-foot putt at Brookline to clinch victory, the last by an American team. Has never won a Ryder Cup match, but he has contributed points in five of his eight matches. Has played well during the FedEx Cup at No. 7 in the standings.
BEN CURTIS
Age: 31
World ranking: 30
Majors: British Open (2003)
Career victories: 3
2008 victories: None
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: None. Was left off the 2003 Presidents Cup team despite winning a major.
Backspin: Made the team with his runner-up finish at the PGA Championship. The most consistent U.S. player over the last two months. He's not very long and doesn't inspire with power, but quietly makes a lot of putts.
BOO WEEKLEY
Age: 35
World ranking: 35
Majors: None
Career victories: 2
2008 victories: MCI Heritage
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: Most rookies would say watching on TV, but Boo doesn't watch golf on TV.
Backspin: Pure ball-striker, shaky as a putter, entertaining in press conference. Teamed with Heath Slocum to finish second in the World Cup last year in China. Has fired off low rounds each of the last two weeks.
STEVE STRICKER
Age: 41
World ranking: 8
Majors: None
Career victories: 4
2008 victories: None
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: Starting the '06 season without a card, was close to becoming a captain's pick last time.
Backspin: Highest-ranked player to be a captain's pick. Went 3-2-0 at the Presidents Cup last year. He fell out of the top eight in the final tournament, the PGA Championship, and sweated out the next three weeks before being picked. Best putter on the U.S. team.
J.B. HOLMES
Age: 26
World ranking: 56
Majors: None
Career victories: 2
2008 victories: FBR Open
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: Went 2-1 at the '05 Walker Cup.
Backspin: Chosen for his power off the tee, and knows Valhalla better than any other player. Nearly beat Tiger Woods in the first round of Accenture Match Play Championship. Grew up and went to college in Kentucky, so he should have the crowd on his side.
HUNTER MAHAN
Age: 26
World ranking: 36
Majors: None
Career victories: 1
2008 victories: None
Ryder Cup teams: Rookie
Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0
Ryder Cup moment: Being quoted in a magazine this year as saying players get treated “like slaves” at the Ryder Cup.
Backspin: Made headlines for critical comments about the largesse of the Ryder Cup. Can get hot at the drop of a putt. Went 2-3-0 at the Presidents Cup last year. Has played well during all three playoff events during the FedEx Cup.
CHAD CAMPBELL
Age: 34
World ranking: 57
Majors: None
Career victories: 4
2008 victories: None
Ryder Cup teams: 2
Ryder Cup record: 1-3-2
Ryder Cup moment: Making a 35-foot birdie putt on the 16th at Oakland Hills for a late lead in fourballs, only to lose the next two holes.
Backspin: The final captain's pick of Paul Azinger, he says he is hitting the ball the best of his career. Wife gave birth to their first child (it's a boy) on Sept. 6. He was quietly desperate to make this Ryder Cup team.
