Thursday 25 September 2014 15:20, UK
Profiles of Tom Watson's US Ryder Cup side, who will be taking on Europe at Gleneagles.
BUBBA WATSON
Effectively secured his place on the team with his second Masters title at Augusta in April having already won the Northern Trust Open earlier in the season. Played in the narrow defeats in 2010 and 2012, losing the opening singles match to Luke Donald at Medinah. Again, showed his quirky side when getting the crowds on the first tee box at Medinah to cheer whilst he hit his opening tee-shot.
RICKIE FOWLER
Has won just one PGA Tour event in his career but compiled a hugely impressive record in major championships in 2014, finishing joint fifth in the Masters, joint second in both the US Open and Open Championship joint third in the US PGA. "This is the first one that hurts," he said after a costly bogey late in the final round at Valhalla. Made his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor in 2010, making birdies at each of the last four holes to halve his singles with Edoardo Molinari.
JIM FURYK
The veteran hasn't won a PGA Tour event since 2010 although he's racked up 16 in total and captured the FedEx Cup in 2010. Has recorded seven top-10 finishes this season, including a fourth place in the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Another player with a point to prove after Medinah, where he bogeyed the last two holes to lose his crucial singles match to Sergio Garcia. In fact, his Ryder Cup record is poor with just nine wins from 30 matches.
JIMMY WALKER
The Texan looked as if he might not rise above journeyman status as he repeatedly fell away when ever getting into contention on the final day. Finally, at the Frys.com Open in October, 2013, he got his first PGA Tour title after 188 attempts and, empowered, he claimed two more victories in his next seven events to secure a Ryder Cup debut by February. Also recorded top-10 finishes in all three US-based majors this season.
PHIL MICKELSON
Already the record holder with nine appearances, Mickelson also reached an unwanted record at Celtic Manor, accumulating the most defeats against Europe. Was determined to maintain proud record of qualifying automatically for each team and did so by finishing second to Rory McIlroy in US PGA Championship. Formed a great partnership with Keegan Bradley at Medinah but lost a pivotal singles match to Justin Rose when the Englishman won the last two holes with birdies.
MATT KUCHAR
Former US Amateur champion topped the PGA Tour money list in 2010 and combined with Gary Woodland in 2011 to give the United States their first World Cup victory since 2000. Was fifth in this year's Masters and won his seventh PGA Tour title the following week in the RBC Heritage. Has a good record in matchplay and Tom Watson will view him as one of the men he can rely on.
JORDAN SPIETH
Shot to fame by winning the 2013 John Deere Classic at the age of 19, becoming the first teenage winner on the PGA Tour since 1931. Held a two-shot lead after seven holes in the final round of this year's Masters, but eventually finished second behind Watson. Also showed up prominently in the Players Championship to show that he can thrive on the big stage. Got a first taste of team play as a pro when playing in last year's Presidents Cup.
PATRICK REED
Caused controversy after his victory in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral - his second win of the season - by claiming he was one of the top five players in the world. Missed the cut in four of his next six events but finished fourth in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational to effectively secure his place. Skipper Tom Watson may have to use his man-management skills to make sure Reed's perceived overconfidence doesn't hurt his side in any way.
ZACH JOHNSON
Won his 11th PGA Tour title in Hawaii in January and recorded five other top-10 finishes in a consistent season. Won two of his three matches with Jason Dufner in 2012 and was only denied a 100 per cent record by a sensational performance from Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy in the Saturday fourballs. Beat Graeme McDowell in the singles, one of just three American wins that day.
KEEGAN BRADLEY
Formed a superb partnership with Phil Mickelson at Medinah, winning their first three matches comfortably before controversially opting out of the Saturday afternoon fourballs citing fatigue. Lost in the singles to Rory McIlroy, who only arrived at the course with minutes to spare after getting his time zones mixed up. His intensity makes him perhaps the nearest thing the Americans have to an Ian Poulter.
HUNTER MAHAN
Went unbeaten on the winning side at Valhalla in 2008, claiming three and a half points from five matches, but is best remembered for losing the vital final singles match to Graeme McDowell at Celtic Manor two years later. Comes into the event in form after winning the first FedEx Cup play-off event and finishing seventh in the US PGA Championship.
WEBB SIMPSON
Picked by Tom Watson on the strength of his two resounding fourball wins alongside Bubba Watson at Medinah, the pair defeating Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson and Justin Rose and Francesco Molinari 5&4. Lost his singles match to Ian Poulter but comes into this year's contest in decent form with two top-10 finishes in his last three events.
