Tiger Woods:

Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999

Record: 3-6-1

World ranking: 1

Deserves to be on team: Yes

Comment: Woods hasn't been invincible in the Ryder Cup. He lost his singles match to Costantino Rocca in 1997. Still, nobody will want to face him this year. Look for the record to improve.

Phil Mickelson:

Ryder Cup experience: 1995, 1997, 1999

Record: 6-3-2

World ranking: 2

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: He has the perfect game for match play. He is a birdie machine. His blow-up holes also don't hurt him in the Ryder Cup. It only means the loss of a hole. Will be tough to beat.

David Toms:

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 6

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: This is the first time out for Toms, so there are some question marks. He makes birdies, which is a plus for Ryder Cup play. He has been steady this year, but hasn't bagged a victory.

Davis Love III:

Ryder Cup experience: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999

Record: 6-8-3

World ranking: 7

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: He was the big loser when the U.S. team lost in Spain in 1997. Sometimes he loses his putting touch, which isn't a good thing for a Ryder Cup. Still, he has the experience and will be one of the team leaders.

Jim Furyk:

Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999

Record: 2-4

World ranking: 10

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: His swing might look funky, but he always seems to be steady. He hits the ball straight and is a good putter. Look for him to improve on his 2-4 record.

David Duval:

Ryder Cup experience: 1999

Record: 1-2-1

World ranking: 12

Deserves to be on the team: Borderline

Comment: He has done nothing this year, but his 2001 British Open victory still provides hope that he could summon some of the old magic. He's unpredictable. It all depends on if he brings his "A" game.

Scott Hoch:

Ryder Cup experience: 1997

Record: 2-0-1

World ranking: 30

Deserves to be on the team: Borderline

Comment: Injuries and eye problems have hindered him this year, but he did well at the U.S. and British Opens. He already is complaining about the weather and the atmosphere at the Ryder Cup. Could be a distraction if Curtis Strange can't put a muzzle on him.

Scott Verplank:

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 28

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: Probably wouldn't have earned one of the wild-card slots if the picks were made this year. But he has overcome many physical ailments to reach this point. He will be a battler.

Mark Calcavecchia:

Ryder Cup experience: 1987, 1989, 1991

Record: 5-5-1

World ranking: 42

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: It has been 11 years since his horrific finish at Kiawah in 1991. Will the memories of that nightmare still lurk? Things will get interesting if Calcavecchia is involved in a key singles match on Sunday.

Paul Azinger:

Ryder Cup experience: 1989, 1991, 1993

Record: 5-6-2

World ranking: 51

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: Was a wild-card pick last year. He wouldn't have been one this year because injuries have hampered him. Still, he is a fierce competitor and is capable of firing up the squad.

Stewart Cink:

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 59

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: He has fallen off the map in 2002. With no previous Ryder Cup experience, and his game mired in a slump, don't expect to see him much before the Sunday singles.

Hal Sutton:

Ryder Cup experience: 1985, 1987, 1999

Record: 6-4-4

World ranking: 125

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: He was the star of the 1999 U.S. victory, but it will be a big surprise if he plays a major role again. His game has disappeared in 2002. Still, Strange will look to him to provide some leadership and inspiration, although he won't count on him to do much on the course.

European team:

Sergio Garcia (Spain):

Ryder Cup experience: 1999

Record: 3-1-1

World ranking: 5

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: This is the second appearance of what should be a long Ryder Cup career for Garcia. Not only is he Europe's best player, he also is its most outgoing and animated. Europe will have to lean on him both on and off the course.

Padraig Harrington (Ireland):

Ryder Cup experience: 1999

Record: 1-1-1

World ranking: 9

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: A solid player, he won't surprise anyone this year as he did in `99. Harrington also is one of the slowest players, which could rattle opponents. Patience will be a key for his opponents.

Colin Montgomerie (Scotland):

Ryder Cup experience: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999

Record: 12-7-4

World ranking: 17

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: Monty has been making noises that he won't be up to speed because of a bad back. But once he gets in battle, and with a home crowd behind him, he'll probably be inspired and overcome the pain.

Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland):

Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999

Record: 3-4

World ranking: 19

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: The former World Match Play champion knows how to get it done in this format. His biggest challenge will be to lift partner Lee Westwood out of his funk and get him to produce.

Bernhard Langer (Germany):

Ryder Cup experience: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997

Record: 18-15-5

World ranking: 27

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: The 45-year-old veteran will be playing in his ninth Cup. A proud and savvy player, he still has plenty of game left. Europe will lean heavily on him for his leadership.

Niclas Fasth (Sweden):

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 32

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: Largely on the team because of his second-place finish at the 2001 British Open. An unknown commodity, Fasth will be one of the players Europe needs to produce if it is going to win the Cup.

Thomas Bjorn (Denmark):

Ryder Cup experience: 1997

Record: 1-0-1

World ranking: 35

Deserves to be on the team: Yes

Comment: Bjorn won't be intimidated if he has to face Tiger Woods. He beat him to win the 2001 Dubai Classic. A steady player on the European Tour.

Jesper Parnevik (Sweden):

Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999

Record: 4-2-3

World ranking: 61

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: Made the squad as a wild card in 2001. Wouldn't have been selected based on his play in 2002. A huge question mark for the Europeans. His game is in the tank, and if he can't produce, the Europeans will be in trouble.

Paul McGinley (Ireland):

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 71

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: He wouldn't have qualified for the team if the selection process had been based on this year. He did win the World Cup for Ireland with Harrington, so look for them to be paired together.

Pierre Fulke (Sweden):

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 88

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: He hasn't done much of anything since finishing second in the 2001 World Match Play. You'll see him in the opening ceremonies, and then he might not show up again until singles on Sunday.

Phillip Price (Wales):

Ryder Cup experience: Rookie

World ranking: 119

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: Another player who has slipped in 2002. It's hard to imagine a player like Price putting any fear into the U.S. players, but stranger things have happened in the Ryder Cup.

Lee Westwood (England):

Ryder Cup experience: 1997, 1999

Record: 4-6

World ranking: 148

Deserves to be on the team: No

Comment: No player in golf has taken a bigger fall. He never sat out a match during his first two Ryder Cups. Now he might not be seen until Sunday, although he is likely to be paired with Clarke in a four-ball. Still, he could be a big zero for the Europeans.