RYDER CUP: Meet the American team
Tiger Woods
Age: 36
Middle name: Tont
Appearances: 6 (1997, 99, 2002, 04, 06 & 10)
Overall: P28 W12 H2 L14
Singles: W4 H1 L1
Fourballs: W4 H0 L6
Foursomes: W4 H1 L7
Highlight of 2012: Won the Memorial Tournament
Fourballs or foursomes? Singles
WE FEAR
Not quite the target he was in the old days and he knows and likes who he will have beside him (Stricker) – even though their record isn’t as outstanding as is often suggested. But he might be more ‘up’ for a Ryder Cup these days
WE DON’T
Awful record on day one of the Ryder Cup and never managed more than two points in the pairs in any match. Doesn’t putt like he used to
Phil Mickelson
Age: 42
Middle name: Alfred
Appearances: 8 (1995, 97, 99, 2002, 04, 06, 08 & 10)
Overall: P34 W11 H6 L17
Singles: W4 H0 L4
Foursomes: W2 H4 L5
Fourballs: W5 H2 L8
Highlight of 2012: Won AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Fourballs or foursomes? Fourballs
WE FEAR
Might just be liberated alongside a rookie like Bradley and can someone this good really have such a bad Ryder Cup record – could be due a big week
WE DON’T
By his standards, has been poor in 2012 prior to a good week at Crooked Stick. Even more erratic than usual and the appearance of a claw putting grip tells its own story
Bubba Watson
Age: 33
Middle name: Lester
Appearances: 1 (2010)
Overall: P4 W1 H0 L3
Singles: W0 H0 L1
Foursomes: W1 H0 L1
Fourballs: W0 H0 L1
Highlight of 2012: Won The Masters
Fourballs or foursomes? Knowing Bubba, foursomes
WE FEAR
Has a possible partner he likes in Simpson and on paper should love Medinah with its emphasis on length and with plenty of trees to shape his shots round… Also, he will get huge support from the home crowd which he will relish more than anyone. Every hole is a birdie chance in Bubba land and after a cautious first Ryder Cup, expect fireworks this time
WE DON’T
Not the sharpest tool in the box and always liable to give you a chance
Dustin Johnson
Age: 28
Middle name: Hunter
Appearances: 1 (2010)
Overall: P4 W1 H0 L3
Singles: W1 H0 L0
Foursomes: W0 H0 L1
Fourballs: W0 H0 L2
Fourballs or foursomes? Fourballs
Highlight of 2012: Won the FedEx St.Jude Classic
WE FEAR
Frighteningly strong and clearly plays with little fear. An intimidating presence who hits it miles. Another fans’ favourite who the crowds will get behind as he unleashes his bombs all over the Chicago track
WE DON’T
Not only had a poor Ryder Cup debut, it was the same story in the Presidents Cup last year (W1 H1 L3). It’s not like he’s had poor partners either – Phil at Celtic Manor and Tiger in Australia
Zach Johnson
Age: 36
Middle name: Harris
Appearances: 2 (2006 & 10)
Overall: P7 W3 H1 L3
Singles: W1 H0 L1
Foursomes: W1 H1 L2
Fourballs: P1 H0 L1
Highlight of 2012: Won Crowne Plaza Invitational
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
Clearly a good foursomes partner but would also be the perfect foil to a bomber in the fourballs
WE DON’T
Hardly intimidating – Zach is no ball-striker
Keegan Bradley
Age: 26
Middle name: Hansen
Appearances: 0
Highlight of 2012: Won WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Fourballs or foursomes? Fourballs
WE FEAR
Fresh, strong and wide-eyed, Bradley is just the kind of player who is energised by the Ryder Cup and subsequently makes a pile of birdies
WE DON’T
Still raw. Can get over-emotional. Must be put under pressure
Tiger Woods has an awful record on day one of the Ryder Cup and never managed more than two points in the pairs in any match.
Steve Stricker
Age: 45
Middle name: Charles
Appearances: 2 (2008 & 10)
Overall: P7 W3 H1 L3
Singles: W1 H0 L1
Foursomes: W1 H0 L1
Fourballs: W1 H1 L1
Highlight of 2012: Won Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
Can hole putt after putt after putt when he gets going
WE DON’T
Not as experienced in the Cup as you might expect and hasn’t been as good this year as the previous three or four
Jason Dufner
Age: 35
Middle name: Christoper
Appearances: 0
Highlight of 2012: Won Zurich Classic and Byron Nelson Championship.
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
The most consistent performer on the whole team in 2012. Very accurate. Hits few bad shots – and has a ridiculously placid temperament
WE DON’T
Just over a year ago, no one had heard of him – this is his first test on a stage of this magnitude
Matt Kuchar
Age: 34
Middle name: Gregory
Appearances: 1 (2010)
Overall: P4 W1 H2 L1
Singles: W0 H0 L1
Fourballs: W0 H2 L0
Foursomes: W1 H0 L0
Highlight of 2012: Won the Players Championship
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
Very steady – churns out top 20s. An excellent putter
WE DON’T
Cink was the stronger half of their partnership at Celtic Manor, and he was thrashed by Poulter in the singles
Webb Simpson
Age: 27
Middle name: Webb (seriously)
Appearances: 0
Highlight of 2012: Won the US Open
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
Whoever is the US Open champion always deserves respect and Simpson is a strong and consistent performer whose victory was a surprise, but not totally from left-field
WE DON’T
Done very little on the course since June at Olympic and has been concentrating on becoming a father for the second time
Brandt Snedeker
Age: 31
Appearances: 0
Highlight of 2012: 3rd in Open
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes
WE FEAR
Policy of hitting into middle of greens at Lytham looked like winning the Claret Jug – his putting is so good that he doesn’t need to be close. Positive, endearing figure and likely to be a good partner
WE DON’T
This is all new to him and can be wonky off the tee, as he showed at Lytham on Sunday
Jim Furyk
Age: 42
Middle name: Michael
Appearances: 7 (1997-2010)
Overall: P27 W8 H4 L15
Singles: W4 H1 L2
Foursomes: W3 H2 L5
Fourballs: W1 H1 L8
Highlight of 2012: Tied fourth at the US Open
Fourballs or foursomes? Foursomes, definitely
WE FEAR
An experienced grinder and a real competitor
WE DON’T
Goodness, that record is poor. Just four wins in 20 pairs matches? Has to be a man under pressure
