Best player of this era and perhaps of all-time. One of golf's longest hitters with a superlative short game to match and acknowledged to have one of the best golfing minds. Has won his last five PGA Tour events, including the British Open and PGA Championship.
Has failed to reach his own supreme levels at previous Ryder Cups but has impressed his team mates by taking on more of a leadership role at the K Club this year.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 20
Ryder Cup record: 7-11-2 (won, lost, halved)
Singles record: 2-1-1
Foursomes record: 2-5-1
Fourball record: 3-5-0
Total points won: 8.0
PHIL MICKELSON
Age: 36
World ranking: two
PGA Tour victories: 29
Major victories: 3
Possesses a brilliant short game and utilises great imagination to scramble out of danger when tee shots go awry. Has won three majors having broken through at the 2004 Masters. A natural team player capable of producing birdies in bunches, the left-hander could be an inspirational figure at the K Club, where he has been paired with Chris DiMarco for the opening fourballs.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 20
Ryder Cup record: 9-8-3
Singles record: 3-2-0
Foursomes record: 2-2-2
Fourball record: 4-4-1
Total points won: 10.5
JIM FURYK
Age: 36
World ranking: three
PGA Tour victories: 11
Major victories: 1
Despite a unique, loopy swing, he has been one of the PGA Tour's most consistent players for the past decade. A gifted putter who captured his first major at 2003 U.S. Open. One of golf's straightest hitters, his Ryder Cup record has been disappointing. Dove-tailed effectively with Woods at last year's Presidents Cup and they are playing together in the opening fourball match.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 15
Ryder Cup record: 4-9-2
Singles record: 3-0-1
Foursomes record: 1-4-0
Fourball record: 0-5-1
Total points won: 5.0
CHRIS DIMARCO
Age: 38
World ranking: 15
PGA Tour victories: 3
Major victories: 0
Came close to breaking through in three recent majors, losing playoffs at the 2004 PGA Championship, the 2005 Masters and challenging Woods in the British Open at Hoylake in July. Relishes team golf and was the U.S. cheerleader at the 2004 Ryder Cup and at the last two Presidents Cups. Had an impressive 4-0-1 record at last year's Presidents Cup.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2004
Number of matches: 4
Ryder Cup record: 2-1-1
Singles record: 1-0-0
Foursomes record: 1-1-0
Fourball record: 0-0-1
Total points won: 2.5
DAVID TOMS
Age: 39
World ranking: 16
PGA Tour victories: 12
Major victories: 1
A consistent performer on the PGA Tour for the last decade, he is accurate off the tee and with his irons. Outduelled Mickelson in the final pairing to win the 2001 PGA Championship. Has a big-match temperament and claimed 3-1/2 points out of five on his Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry in 2002. Overcome a heart scare that flared up last season.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 8
Ryder Cup record: 4-3-1
Singles record: 1-1-0
Foursomes record: 2-0-1
Fourball record: 1-2-0
Total points won: 4.5
CHAD CAMPBELL
Age: 32
World ranking: 22
PGA Tour victories: 3
Major victories: 0
Last year earned more than $2 million and finished in the top 25 on PGA Tour money list for third year in a row. Won his third career title at the Bob Hope Classic in January. Has been highly regarded by his peers since winning eight of the first 16 events on the 2000 U.S. Hooters Tour. Known for his attacking style.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2004
Number of matches: 3
Ryder Cup record: 1-2-0
Singles record: 1-0-0
Foursomes record: 0-0-0
Fourball record: 0-2-0
Total points won: 1.0
ZACH JOHNSON
Age: 30
World ranking: 42
PGA Tour victories: 1
Major victories: 0
One of four rookies on the U.S. team. Highly regarded and came close to a Presidents Cup call-up last year. Has not won on the PGA Tour since the 2004 BellSouth Classic but has produced four top-five finishes this season, including runner-up spots at the BellSouth and the Memorial tournament.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
VAUGHN TAYLOR
Age: 30
World ranking: 60
PGA Tour victories: 2
Major victories: 0
Ryder Cup rookie who produced six top 10s on the 2006 PGA Tour, including a tie for eighth at the Players Championship and a share of seventh at The Memorial. A good putter, the Augusta, Georgia resident sealed his Ryder Cup spot by tying for fourth at last month's Buick Open.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
J.J. HENRY
Age: 31
World ranking: 64
PGA Tour victories: 1
Major victories: 0
Another rookie, Henry won his maiden PGA Tour title at this year's Buick Championship in front of a partisan Connecticut crowd, effectively booking his berth at the K Club. Produced top-four finishes at the Phoenix Open and BellSouth Classic and placed sixth at the Deutsche Bank Championship earlier this month.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
BRETT WETTERICH
Age: 33
World Ranking: 68
PGA Tour victories: 1
Major victories: 0
Also a rookie, the big-hitting Wetterich has enjoyed a fairytale 2006 after returning to the PGA Tour for the third time via the 2005 qualifying school. Won the Byron Nelson Championship in May and tied for second at The Memorial three weeks later. Four top 10s this season.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: None
STEWART CINK
Age: 33
World ranking: 23
PGA Tour victories: 4
Major victories: 0
Picked as one of captain Tom Lehman's two wildcards, he endorsed his selection by losing to Woods at the fourth extra hole of a sudden-death playoff for last month's WGC-NEC Invitational. An excellent putter and veteran of two Ryder Cups and two Presidents Cups, is considered a safe pair of hands. Biggest victory came at the 2004 WGC-NEC Invitational.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002, 2004
Number of matches: 7
Ryder Cup record: 2-4-1
Singles record: 0-2-0
Foursomes record: 1-2-0
Fourball record: 1-0-1
Total points won: 2.5
SCOTT VERPLANK
Age: 42
World ranking: 37
PGA Tour victories: 4
Major victories: 0
Another wildcard selection, Verplank was considered unlucky not to be a captain's pick in 2004 but has Walker Cup and Presidents Cup experience. Four top-10s this year, including ties for second in his first two starts, despite suffering a shoulder injury mid-season.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances: 2002
Number of matches: 3
Ryder Cup record: 2-1-0
Singles record: 1-0-0
Foursomes record: 1-1-0
Fourball record: 0-0-0
Total points won: 2.0
United States captain: TOM LEHMAN
Age: 47
World Ranking: 39
PGA Tour victories: 5
Major victories: 1
Widely expected to be one of the most effective U.S. Ryder Cup captains, Lehman has paid close attention to detail in the build-up to this year's match. The 1996 British Open champion wants his team to match Europe's passion and has worked hard to strengthen bonding between his 12 players. A veteran of three Ryder Cups and three Presidents Cups as a player, he considered a playing captain role at the K Club after a strong start to the 2006 PGA Tour.
Previous Ryder Cup appearances as a player: 1995, 1997, 1999
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