The charismatic Spaniard has registered a series of top-10 finishes on both sides of the Atlantic this year, including a share of fifth place in the British Open at Hoylake in July. Relishes the team atmosphere of the Ryder Cup where he is unbeaten in six foursomes matches. Became Europe's youngest Cup player, aged 19, at Brookline in 1999.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 15
Ryder Cup record: 10-3-2 (won-lost-halved)
Singles record: 1-2-0
Foursomes record: 6-0-0
Fourball record: 3-1-2
Total points won: 11.0
LUKE DONALD (Britain)
Age: 28
World ranking: nine
European Tour victories: 2
Major victories: 0
A consistent performer who divides his time between the U.S. and Europe. Registered his second PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic in March. 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.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2004
Number of matches: 4
Ryder Cup record: 2-1-1
Singles record: 0-1-0
Foursomes record: 2-0-0
Fourball record: 0-0-1
Total points won: 2.5
HENRIK STENSON (Sweden)
Age: 30
World ranking: 11
European Tour victories: 4
Major victories: 0
The big-hitting Swedish Rookie came to the fore last year, finishing eighth on the European order of merit. Among his best performances was third place behind Tiger Woods and John Daly at the WGC-American Express Championship in San Francisco. Won the Qatar Masters in late January and the BMW International Open in Munich earlier this month.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
DAVID HOWELL (Britain)
Age: 31
World ranking: 13
European Tour victories: 4
The quiet, unassuming Howell rocketed to 13th in the world rankings last year after winning the BMW International Open in Munich and the Champions Tournament, outscoring playing partner Woods on the last day in Shanghai. Won the European Tour's flagship BMW Championship at Wentworth in May and leads the 2006 order of merit.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2004
Number of matches: 2
Ryder Cup record: 1-1-0
Singles record: 0-1-0
Foursomes record: 0-0-0
Fourball record: 1-0-0
Total points won: 1.0
COLIN MONTGOMERIE (Britain)
Age: 43
World ranking: 14
European Tour victories: 30
The linchpin of the team, the eight-times European number one has not had the best of seasons but is likely, as always, to raise his game at the K Club. Was an inspirational figure for Europe at The Belfry in 2002 with 4-1/2 points out of a possible five and claimed three points out of four at Oakland Hills in 2004. Is unbeaten in seven Ryder Cup singles matches.
Produced the most consistent golf of his career this season, winning the China Open in November, the Johnnie Walker Championship in June and last week's World Match Play Championship at Wentworth. An attacking player who is long off the tee, he should shine at the K Club. Won all four of his matches in the 1999 Walker Cup amateur team competition.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2004
Number of matches: 2
Ryder Cup record: 1-1-0
Singles record: 0-1-0
Foursomes record: 0-0-0
Fourball record: 1-0-0
Total points won: 1.0
PADRAIG HARRINGTON (Ireland)
Age: 35
World ranking: 18
European Tour victories: 9
One of Europe's top performers in recent years, Harrington made a slow start to 2006 before roaring back to form with six top-11 finishes in seven weeks in the middle of the season. Won the 1997 World Cup for Ireland, in partnership with Paul McGinley, and is unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles matches.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 12
Ryder Cup record: 7-4-1
Singles record: 3-0-0
Foursomes record: 2-2-1
Fourball record: 2-2-0
Total points won: 7.5
JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL (Spain)
Age: 40
World ranking: 19
European Tour victories: 23
The Spaniard with a brilliant short game and an excellent Ryder Cup record came close to capturing his third U.S. Masters earlier this year, finishing third behind winner Phil Mickelson. Made his Ryder Cup debut in 1987 and went on to form the competition's most successful partnership with Seve Ballesteros with an 11-2-2 record.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999
Number of matches: 28
Ryder Cup record: 15-8-5
Singles record: 1-4-1
Foursomes record: 7-2-1
Fourball record: 7-2-3
Total points won: 17.5
ROBERT KARLSSON (Sweden)
Age: 37
World ranking: 36
European Tour victories: 7
Two titles in 2006 have made Karlsson Sweden's most prolific champion, surpassing the record of Anders Forsbrand. He took his victory tally to seven at last month's Players Championship of Europe. One of the tallest players on the European Tour, he has experienced team golf at the Ryder Cup-style Seve Trophy in 2000 and 2002.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
PAUL MCGINLEY (Ireland)
Age: 39
World ranking: 53
European Tour victories: 4
McGinley, who holed the winning putt in the 2002 Ryder Cup, has been woefully out of form since landing the prestigious Volvo Masters title in Valderrama last October. Has had only two top-10s on the 2006 European Tour and squeezed into the team for the K Club after finishing ninth on the points list.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 6
Ryder Cup record: 2-1-3
Singles record: 1-0-1
Foursomes record: 1-1-0
Fourball record: 0-0-2
Total points won: 3.5
DARREN CLARKE (Ireland)
Age 38
World ranking: 24
European Tour victories: 10
On his day, one of the best ball-strikers in the game who will not be scared to go head-to-head with Tiger Woods. Has missed much of this season because of the illness and subsequent death of his wife Heather. The only player in European Tour history to have fired two rounds of 60, he enjoys the K Club where he won the 2001 European Open and is preparing for a highly emotional weekend.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 17
Ryder Cup record: 7-7-3
Singles record: 0-2-2
Foursomes record: 3-3-0
Fourball record: 4-2-1
Total points won: 8.5
LEE WESTWOOD (Britain)
Age 33
World ranking: 51
European Tour victories: 16
Westwood has struggled to realise his early promise but has generally thrived in the Ryder Cup and picked up 4 1/2 points out of five in the last match at Oakland Hills in 2004. Has not won a European Tour tournament since, though, and made the 2006 team as one of two wildcard picks. Like Clarke, he likes the K Club, having won there in 1999 and 2000.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 20
Ryder Cup record: 11-8-1
Singles record: 1-3-0
Foursomes record: 6-2-0
Fourball record: 4-3-1
Total points won: 11.5
IAN WOOSNAM (Britain)
Age: 48
World ranking: 308
European Tour victories: 29
A veteran of eight Ryder Cups as a player, he is certain to be a passionate, positive and down-to-earth captain. A former world number one who claimed his only major title at the 1991 U.S. Masters, he boasts an impressive fourballs record at the Ryder Cup with 10 victories in 14 matches. Strangely, though, he never won a singles encounter in eight attempts, claiming he always put too much pressure on himself by trying too hard.
Best Cup memory was Europe's victory on American turf at Muirfield Village in 1987, when he won 3-1/2 points out of a possible five.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances as a player: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997
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