Tiger Woods

Age: 28

World Ranking: 2

Best player in the game since Jack Nicklaus but has not won a major since the 2002 U.S. Open. Was deposed as world number one by Fiji's Vijay Singh after the Deutsche Bank Championship at the weekend. Has had problems with his driving for the last 18 months but believes his swing is now close to his best. Made his Cup debut at Valderrama in 1997 but has failed to make much of an impact with five wins and eight losses in the competition.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 15

Ryder Cup Record: 5-8-2 (won, lost, halved)

Singles Record: 1-1-1

Foursomes Record: 2-3-1

Fourball Record: 2-4-0

Total Points Won: 6.0

Phil Mickelson

Age: 34

World Ranking: 4

One of the most gifted players in the game ended a 14-year wait for a first major title with a one-shot triumph at the U.S. Masters in April. Went on to finish second at the U.S. Open, third in the British Open and tied for sixth at the U.S. PGA Championship. Has been in sparkling form this season with 13 top-10 finishes in 18 PGA Tour starts. A natural team player who is likely to be an inspirational figure at Oakland Hills.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 16

Ryder Cup Record: 8-5-3

Singles Record: 3-1-0

Foursomes Record: 1-1-2

Fourball Record: 4-3-1

Total Points Won: 9.5

Davis Love III

Age: 40

World Ranking: 5

One of the game's best players for more than a decade. Had several near misses in major tournaments before making his breakthrough in the 1997 U.S. PGA Championship at Winged Foot. Won the World Cup with Fred Couples four years in a row from 1992. Boasts a mixed Ryder Cup record, winning his debut singles against Italy's Costantino Rocca in 1993 but losing all four matches he played at Valderrama in 1997.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 21

Ryder Cup Record: 8-9-4

Singles Record: 3-1-1

Foursomes Record: 3-3-1

Fourball Record: 2-5-2

Total Points Won: 10.0

Jim Furyk

Age: 34

World Ranking: 10

Possesses one of the most unorthodox swings in golf, but has been one of the PGA Tour's most consistent players for the past nine years. Clinched his first major at last year's U.S. Open. Has had a frustrating 2004, being sidelined from late January until mid-June with a wrist injury that needed surgery. One of the game's straightest hitters, his Ryder Cup record has been disappointing. Yet to win a fourball match in four attempts.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 11

Ryder Cup Record: 3-6-2

Singles Record: 2-0-1

Foursomes Record: 1-3-0

Fourball Record: 0-3-1

Total Points Won: 4.0

Stewart Cink

Age: 31

World Ranking: 12

Picked as one of captain Hal Sutton's two wildcards, he justified his selection by winning the prestigious WGC-NEC Invitational wire-to-wire on his next PGA Tour start. Has produced excellent form this year, his eight top-10 finishes also including a victory at the MCI Heritage in April. Made his Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry in 2002, winning one foursomes match in three outings. An excellent putter.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002

Number of Matches: 3

Ryder Cup Record: 1-2-0

Singles Record: 0-1-0

Foursomes Record: 1-1-0

Fourball Record: 0-0-0

Total Points Won: 1.0

Kenny Perry

Age: 44

World Ranking: 14

One of five rookies on the U.S. team, Perry has experienced top-level team competition at two Presidents Cups. Was the hottest player on the PGA Tour midway through last year, winning back-to-back titles in the Colonial and Memorial tournaments then finishing tied for third at the U.S. Open. Victory at the Greater Milwaukee Open a month later put him in line for 2003 player of the year honours. While not reproducing that form in 2004, has produced six top-10 tour finishes.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Chad Campbell

Age: 30

World Ranking: 15

Another of the five U.S. rookies, Campbell has been regarded as a class act by his peers since winning eight of the first 16 events on the 2000 U.S. Hooters Tour, breeding ground for the main PGA Tour. Confirmed that promise with a six-shot victory at the Bay Hill Invitational in March, coming from four behind with 11 holes to play with a closing 66. Known for his attacking style and ability to hit fairways and greens.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Chris DiMarco

Age: 36

World Ranking: 17

Also a rookie, DiMarco sealed his Cup spot by sharing second place in the U.S. PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, where he was edged out in a three-way playoff for the title by Fiji's Vijay Singh. Gained experience of match-play team golf on last year's U.S. Presidents Cup team. One of the PGA Tour's steadiest players over the last five years, he ended last season 18th in the money list with $2,350,630 in earnings.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

David Toms

Age: 37

World Ranking: 22

A consistent performer on the PGA Tour for the last seven years. Booked his debut Ryder Cup berth in style for the 2002 match at The Belfry, winning the 2001 U.S. PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. Won three times in his first five Cup matches. Seems to possess ideal big-match temperament, tying for sixth on his U.S. Masters debut in 1998 and fourth in his maiden British Open at St Andrews in 2000.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002

Number of Matches: 5

Ryder Cup Record: 3-1-1

Singles Record: 1-0-0

Foursomes Record: 1-0-1

Fourball Record: 1-1-0

Total Points Won: 3.5

Jay Haas

Age: 50

World Ranking: 23

A wildcard selection with Stewart Cink on the U.S. team, Haas has played the most consistent golf of his career over the last two years. Enjoyed a golden 2003 PGA Tour season, eight top-10 finishes lifting him to 15th in the money list with earnings of $2,563,545. Has played in two previous Ryder Cups and was a captain's pick for the first Presidents Cup in 1994. His uncle, Bob Goalby, won the 1968 U.S. Masters.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1983, 1995

Number of Matches: 8

Ryder Cup Record: 3-4-1

Singles Record: 0-2-0

Foursomes Record: 1-2-0

Fourball Record: 2-0-1

Total Points Won: 3.5

Chris Riley

Age: 30

World Ranking: 39

Another rookie, Riley played his way on to the team by tying for fourth in the U.S. PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, the last counting event for selection. Claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory in his 109th career start at the 2002 Reno-Tahoe Open, beating Jonathan Kaye in a one-hole playoff. Played on the same team as Tiger Woods in the 1995 amateur Walker Cup. Highly rated for his putting.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Fred Funk

Age: 48

World Ranking: 57

Also a rookie, Funk got a taste for the cauldron of matchplay team golf at last year's President Cup competition in South Africa. Struggles for distance off the tee but is renowned for being one of the most accurate players in the game. Has led the PGA Tour's driving accuracy charts for six of the last 10 years and finished outside the top three just once. Produced nine top-10 places in 2003, his tie for seventh at the U.S. PGA Championship booking his Presidents Cup place.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

United States captain: Hal Sutton

Age: 46

World Ranking: 201

One of the hard men when he played on the U.S. team, Sutton has promised to be a decisive Ryder Cup captain. Was the most successful American player at Brookline in 1999 with three wins and a half point from five matches. U.S. PGA champion in 1983, he began the 2000 season in style when he beat Tiger Woods down the stretch to win the prestigious Players' Championship. Has won 14 U.S. Tour titles, the last at the 2001 Houston Open.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1985, 1987, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 16

Ryder Cup Record: 7-5-4

Singles Record: 1-2-1

Foursomes Record: 5-1-1

Fourball Record: 1-2-2

Total Points Won: 9.0