Wed, Sep 08 10 12:19 AM
Brief profiles of the 12 players who will represent holders the United States against Europe in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, Wales, from Oct. 1-3.
Phil Mickelson
Age: 40
World ranking: 2
PGA Tour victories: 38
Major victories: 4
Previous Ryder Cups: 7 teams (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)
Ryder Cup record (wins-losses-halves): 10-14-6
Possesses a brilliant short game and utilises great imagination to scramble out of danger when tee shots go awry. The left-hander has won four majors, starting with his breakthrough at the 2004 U.S. Masters, and clinched his third Green Jacket at Augusta National in April.
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Hunter Mahan
Age: 28
World ranking: 13
PGA Tour victories: 3
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 1 (2008)
Ryder Cup record: 2-0-3
Secured his place on the U.S. team by winning last month's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the biggest victory of his career. Has represented the U.S. in two Presidents Cups. A brilliant amateur before turning professional in 2003, he enjoys team golf and is capable of shooting very low scores.
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Bubba Watson
Age: 31
World ranking: 25
PGA Tour victories: 1
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 0
Self-coached and one of the longest hitters in the game, he secured his spot on the U.S. team for the first time by finishing second at last month's PGA Championship. Won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Travelers Championship in June and has long desired to play in the Ryder Cup.
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Jim Furyk
Age: 40
World ranking: 5
PGA Tour victories: 15
Major victories: 1
Previous Ryder Cups: 6 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)
Ryder Cup record: 8-13-2
A straight-shooter despite an unorthodox, loopy swing. Also a gifted putter, who captured his first major at the 2003 U.S. Open. A veteran of six Presidents Cups, he dovetails effectively with any partner in team golf and has won twice on the PGA Tour this season.
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Steve Stricker
Age: 43
World ranking: 4
PGA Tour victories: 9
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 1 (2008)
Ryder Cup record: 0-2-1
Regarded as one of the best putters in the game, he has played in the last three Presidents Cups, gelling superbly with Tiger Woods at Harding Park last year. Biggest victory came at the 2001 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Has triumphed twice on the 2010 PGA Tour.
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Dustin Johnson
Age: 26
World ranking: 24
PGA Tour victories: 3
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 0
One of the longest hitters in the game, he booked his place on the U.S. team by tying for fifth at last month's PGA Championship. Won the PGA Tour's Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this year and led the U.S. Open in June at the same venue by three shots going into the final round before falling back.
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Jeff Overton
Age: 27
World ranking: 47
PGA Tour victories: 0
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 0
Has produced consistent form on the 2010 PGA Tour with six top-six finishes, including three runner-up spots. Turned professional in 2005 after representing the U.S. amateurs in that year's Walker Cup and secured the winning point in the last-day singles.
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Matt Kuchar
Age: 32
World ranking: 11
PGA Tour victories: 3
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 0
A brilliant amateur who won the 1997 U.S. championship before turning professional in 2000. Claimed his first PGA Tour title at the 2002 Honda Classic but endured several lean years before regaining form during 2007. Has flourished this season with 10 top-10s on the U.S. circuit, including the biggest victory of his career at last month's Barclays tournament.
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Tiger Woods
Age: 34
World ranking: 1
PGA Tour victories: 71
Major victories: 14
Previous Ryder Cup teams: 5 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Ryder Cup record: 10-13-2
Best player of this era and perhaps of all-time but has struggled for form this season after his private life unravelled at the end of last year amid revelations of marital infidelities. Yet to win in 2010 but has upped his game in recent weeks. Acknowledged to have one of the best golfing "minds".
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Zach Johnson
Age: 34
World ranking: 17
PGA Tour victories: 7
Major victories: 1
Previous Ryder Cups: 1 (2006)
Ryder Cup record: 1-2-1
A rock-steady player who is highly regarded by his peers, he has played in two Presidents Cups and one Ryder Cup. Claimed his first major victory at the 2007 U.S. Masters and won his seventh PGA Tour title at the Colonial tournament in May.
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Stewart Cink
Age: 37
World ranking: 35
PGA Tour victories: 6
Major victories: 1
Previous Ryder Cups: 4 (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)
Ryder Cup record: 4-7-4
A veteran of four Presidents Cups, Cink is considered a safe pair of hands in team golf. Biggest victory of his career came at the 2009 British Open where he beat fellow American Tom Watson in a four-hole playoff. Has not won on the PGA Tour this season but has produced encouraging form in recent weeks.
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Rickie Fowler
Age: 21
World ranking: 33
PGA Tour victories: 0
Major victories: 0
Previous Ryder Cups: 0
One of the most exciting young talents in the game, he has produced two runner-up finishes in his rookie season on the PGA Tour this year. Was unbeaten in four matches as an amateur at the 2009 Walker Cup and has always exuded great confidence in his own abilities.
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