Padraig Harrington (Ireland)

Age: 33

World Ranking: 8

Arguably Europe's most consistent performer over the last four years and virtually a permanent fixture in the world's top 10 in that time. Has had his share of neck and back pains recently but always seems to be ready for the 'big stage' events. Won the 1997 World Cup for Ireland, in partnership with Paul McGinley, and is unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles matches, against Mark O'Meara in 1999 and Mark Calcavecchia in 2002.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 7

Ryder Cup Record: 3-3-1 (won, lost, halved)

Singles Record: 2-0-0

Foursomes Record: 0-2-1

Fourball Record: 1-1-0

Total Points Won: 3.5

Sergio Garcia (Spain)

Age: 24

World Ranking: 11

Probably the most precocious talent in the modern game, he burst on to the world scene by finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 1999 U.S. PGA championship at Medinah. Relishes the team atmosphere of the Ryder Cup where he is unbeaten in four foursomes matches. Became Europe's youngest Cup player in history by making the 1999 team for Brookline, teaming up with Sweden's Jesper Parnevik to win 3.5 points on his debut.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 10

Ryder Cup Record: 6-3-1

Singles Record: 0-2-0

Foursomes Record: 4-0-0

Fourball Record: 2-1-1

Total Points Won: 6.5

Darren Clarke (Britain)

Age: 36

World Ranking: 16

The only player in European Tour history to have fired two rounds of 60. Became the first European to win a World Golf Championships (WGC) title at the 2000 Accenture World Matchplay Championship, beating David Duval in the semi-finals and Tiger Woods in the final. Clinched a second WGC crown at the 2003 NEC Invitational. Has not fully lived up to expectation at the Ryder Cup, though. Is yet to win a singles match in three attempts.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 12

Ryder Cup Record: 4-6-2

Singles Record: 0-2-1

Foursomes Record: 1-3-0

Fourball Record: 3-1-1

Total Points Won: 5.0

Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain)

Age: 33

World Ranking: 21

A form player going into Oakland Hills, with four European Tour titles in 2004 and a second place at the European Masters on his last start. Made his Ryder Cup debut at Brookline in 1999, winning two points out of a possible five. The pony-tailed Spaniard is even more battle-hardened now and has produced the best golf of his career over the last 12 months. Won three times in the first half of this year to seal his Cup place.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1999

Number of Matches: 5

Ryder Cup Record: 1-2-2

Singles Record: 0-1-0

Foursomes Record: 0-1-1

Fourball Record: 1-0-1

Total Points Won: 2.0

Paul Casey (Britain)

Age: 27

World Ranking: 28

One of five European rookies on the 2004 team, he sealed his Cup berth by tying for third at last month's BMW International Open. An attacking player who is long off the tee, he should shine against the United States. As an amateur, he won all four of his matches at the 1999 Walker Cup team competition and shared second place with Justin Rose at last year's World Cup. Has produced four top-six finishes on the 2004 European Tour.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Luke Donald (Britain)

Age: 26

World Ranking: 35

Another European rookie after being selected as one of Bernhard Langer's two wildcard picks, he is in red-hot form after winning twice on the European Tour in the last five weeks. An outstanding amateur who shone in Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup victories over the United States in 1999 and 2001, winning seven times in eight matches. Renowned for his accuracy, he should feel at home on the demanding Oakland Hills layout.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Lee Westwood (England)

Age: 31

World Ranking: 42

One of Europe's surprises at The Belfry in 2002, when he won three points out of a possible five. A former European number one, he ended three years in the doldrums with victory at the 2003 BMW International Open last August and then beat Ernie Els by a shot a month later to clinch the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. A good team player and a relative Cup veteran.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 15

Ryder Cup Record: 7-8-0

Singles Record: 0-3-0

Foursomes Record: 4-2-0

Fourball Record: 3-3-0

Total Points Won: 7.0

Thomas Levet (France)

Age: 31

World Ranking: 43

The second Frenchman to play in a Ryder Cup, after Jean Van de Velde in 1999, and one of five European rookies on the 2004 team. Like Van de Velde (also in 1999), came close to victory at the British Open at Muirfield in 2002 when he lost to Els in a sudden-death playoff. Has been in form this year, winning the Scottish Open and tying for fifth in the British Open at Royal Troon. A bubbly character ideally suited to team golf.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Ian Poulter (Britain)

Age: 28

World Ranking: 58

Another of the European rookies, he produced 'big match' temperament to seal his Cup spot as the 10th and final automatic qualifier, going six under for the last eight holes at last month's BMW International Open. A distinctive character on the European Tour with his assorted hairstyles and outlandish clothing, he fears no golfer. Says he would love to go head-to-head with Tiger Woods in the last-day singles.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Colin Montgomerie (Britain)

Age: 41

World Ranking: 60

An inspirational figure for Europe at The Belfry in 2002 with 4-1/2 points out of a possible five, he was a popular choice as one of captain Bernhard Langer's two wildcard picks. Struggled for form for much of this year while in the throes of a divorce but has produced top-four finishes in two of his last four starts. The likely on-course captain for Europe at Oakland Hills, he is unbeaten in six Ryder Cup singles matches.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002

Number of Matches: 28

Ryder Cup Record: 16-7-5

Singles Record: 4-0-2

Foursomes Record: 7-3-1

Fourball Record: 5-4-2

Total Points Won: 18.5

Paul McGinley (Ireland)

Age: 37

World Ranking: 64

Booked his place on the team with a final-round 68 at the BMW International Open in Munich, the last counting event for European selection. Has displayed impressive form this season, including a tie for sixth in the U.S. PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and second place at the Dubai Desert Classic. Famously secured 2002 Ryder Cup victory for Europe at The Belfry with a nine-foot putt on the last green.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002

Number of Matches: 3

Ryder Cup Record: 0-1-2

Singles Record: 0-0-1

Foursomes Record: 0-1-0

Fourball Record: 0-0-1

Total Points Won: 1.0

David Howell (Britain)

Age: 29

World Ranking: 66

Another of the five European rookies, he is regarded by some as a possible weak link on the team. Proved his mettle, though, by holding on to his eighth place as an automatic qualifier at the BMW International Open where he closed with a 69. Has produced steady golf on the 2004 European Tour with seven top-10 finishes. Has experienced match-play golf and won three out of a possible four points at last year's Seve Trophy.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None

Europe captain: Bernhard Langer (Germany)

Age: 47

World Ranking: 75

A veteran of 10 Ryder Cups as a player, he is certain to be a meticulous, positive and whole-hearted captain at Oakland Hills. Was controversially omitted from the European team for the 1999 showdown at Brookline. Won 3-1/2 points out of a possible four at The Belfry in 2002 where he and Montgomerie were unbeaten as combination. Famously missed a six-foot putt at Kiawah Island allowing the U.S. to win the 1991 Cup.

Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2002

Number of Matches: 42

Ryder Cup Record: 21-15-6

Singles Record: 4-3-3

Foursomes Record: 11-6-1

Fourball Record: 6-6-2

Total Points Won: 24.0