Golf: European Ryder Cup Team
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Ryder Cups: 3 Record: W6 L2 H2
Has been a "happy qualifier" since March and has been the European No 1 for the past four years. He expects to team up with Faldo again, although the partnership lost twice in a day at Oak Hill. Is unbeaten in three singles matches and has a superb record at Valderrama in the Volvo Masters, winning the event in 1993.
Darren Clark (29)
Ryder Cup debut
A largely unfulfilled talent until he gained his second win at the German Masters last October. This season has been one of near misses, twice each finishing fourth, third and second, the last two in Europe's biggest events, the Open and the Volvo PGA. A veritable birdie machine with a fine matchplay record as an amateur.
Bernhard Langer (40)
Caps: 8. Record: W15 L14 H5
Celebrated his 40th birthday last week. Back to his best with three wins this year after switching to a broomhandle putter. An ideal partner for a rookie - so much so that he has appeared in a record 12 different combinations. Holds the Valderrama course record (62), but has not won a singles match since 1985.
Ian Woosnam (39)
Caps: 7. Record: W13 L11 H5
Leader of the money list after his victory in the Volvo PGA in May. Has been mostly free from back problems for the first time in recent years. A terrific fourball record, with nine wins against three losses and one half. Has squared his last two singles matches with Fred Couples, but has yet to win on the final day.
Per-Ulrik Johannson (30)
Caps 1: Record: W1 L2
He qualified by winning three times in the past 11 months, with two of the victories coming at the European Open in Ireland. Is an improved player from when he made his debut at Oak Hill. Led early on against Phil Mickelson on the last day, but finally lost 2&1, although ultimately the match was a dead rubber.
Lee Westwood (24)
Ryder Cup debut
Is reckoned to be the rising star of Europe, and has won three times around the world. Close to winning four times in Europe in 1997 and never finished worse than 29th in the four majors. Shares the same coach, manager and confident attitude as Clarke. Should be a strong fourball player; second at Valderrama last year.
Ignacio Garrido (25)
Ryder Cup debut
Son of Antonio, whom he used to caddie for and who, with Seve Ballesteros, became the first continentals to play in the Ryder Cup in 1979. Percy and Peter Alliss are the only other father and son combination. The Spaniard won the German Open and has had three second places to claim his place on the team.
Thomas Bjorn (26)
Ryder Cup debut
Denmark's first player in the Ryder Cup. Won impressively at Loch Lomond last year, but he has been affected by injuries this season, first to his neck and then an ankle. Twice the Danish Amateur champion, he won the Challenge Tour in 1995. Has a superb long game to which his putting does not always live up.
Costantino Rocca (40)
Caps: 2. Record: W3 L4
Deemed to be the villain of the piece at The Belfry in 1993, when he lost to Davis Love when one up with two to play. But the Italian turned hero two years later when he won three of his games. Fifth at the US Masters, where he played with Tiger Woods on the final day, but after shoulder and rib injuries only secured his place in Munich.
Miguel Angel Martin (35)
Ryder Cup debut
Has been given until Thursday to prove his fitness after he suffered a wrist injury at Loch Lomond and then aggravated it at the Open. Changed his driver last year and had his best season before winning the Heineken Classic in Australia in February. Lives in Madrid, but was born along the coast from Valderrama at Huelva.
Wild Card One
Wild Card Two
Seve Ballesteros announces his two wild-card choices on Thursday. The contenders thought to have the best chances are:
Jose-Maria Olazabal. Age: 31. Ryder Cup record: W 12 L 6 H 2. Final position in Ryder Cup qualifying table: 11th.
Nick Faldo. Age: 40. Ryder Cup record: W 21 L 16 H 4. Final position in Ryder Cup qualifying table: 27th.
Padraig Harrington. Age: 26. Would be making his debut. Final position in Ryder Cup qualifying table: 12th.
Jesper Parnevik. Age: 32. Would be making his debut. Plays on US tour.
THE US TEAM: Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Tom Lehman, Davis Love, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Maggert, Mark O'Meara, Scott Hoch, Brad Faxon. Wild cards: Lee Janzen, Fred Couples.
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