Golf: Ryder Cup - European Ryder Cup team

Colin Montgomerie

Age: 34. World No 6 4th Ryder Cup

Record W6 L5 H2

Bring on Tiger. Confident Monty wants revenge for his Augusta mauling by Woods on a course perfectly suited to his game. Past winner of the Volvo Masters. Back to his best at the weekend at the Forest of Arden.

Darren Clarke

Age: 29. World No 31 Ryder Cup debut

Open runner-up and also second in the Volvo PGA. Good match play as amateur, has won twice in seven years on tour. Strong and long, more likely to appear in fourballs than foursomes. Only representative from the Emerald Isle.

Bernhard Langer

Age: 40. World No 19 9th Ryder Cup

Record W15 L14 H5

Valderrama course record-holder with a 62 in 1994. Conquered the yips for the fourth time by turning to the broomhandled putter. Has been partnered by a record 12 different players. Should play five times.

Ian Woosnam

Age: 39. World No 24 8th Ryder Cup

Record W13 L11 H5

Can be downcast with his game, particularly putting, when not inspired. Two World Match Play victories contrast with failure to win a Ryder Cup singles. Halved with Couples in last two matches.

Per-Ulrik Johansson

Age: 30. World No 39 2nd Ryder Cup

Record W1 L2

Second time around, hoping to be nervous but not "out of control like last time". Former college team-mate of Phil Mickelson, to whom the Swede lost in the dead singles match at Oak Hill.

Lee Westwood

Age: 24. World No 30 Ryder Cup debut

Debut butterflies got to him as he missed the cut in the British Masters, but has settled down since being at Valderrama. Second in the Volvo Masters here last year. The youngest of the rookies, and possibly the longest and strongest.

Ignacio Garrido

Age: 25. World No 74 Ryder Cup debut

Son of Antonio, the first continental to hit a shot in the Ryder Cup in 1979. Came from nowhere to qualify with win in the German Open and back-to-back second places. Long off the tee, great short game, mentally strong.

Thomas Bjorn

Age: 26. World No 66 Ryder Cup debut

Denmark's best-ever player and first Ryder Cup man. An impressive victory at Loch Lomond last year helped him qualify despite suffering first neck and then ankle injuries this year. Strong all-round game, but tends to miss birdie putts.

Costantino Rocca

Age: 40. World No 42 3rd Ryder Cup

Record W3 L4

Loveable Italian who returned from his disaster at The Belfry in '93 when he should have won to be a rock at Oak Hill. Yet to play anyone but Love in the singles, but would like another crack after losing twice.

Jose Maria Olazabal

Age: 31. World No 57 5th Ryder Cup

Record W12 L6 H2

Form improving every day in practice. Could be the key man of the European team. Miraculously returned to top-class golf after missing 18 months due to mis-diagnosis of foot injuries. Making up for lost time.

Nick Faldo

Age: 40. World No 15 11th Ryder Cup

Record W21 L16 H4

Now the event's most experienced player, and needs one win to equal Arnold Palmer's record of 22. The man Ballesteros would pick to play for his life. Happy now to be the father-figure for the rookies.

Jesper Parnevik

Age: 32. World No 18 Ryder Cup debut

Has a few nutty ideas on life and the universe, but has won over $1m on the US tour this year with five second places. Putting and long-iron play improved substantially. Could form inspired Swedish partnership with Johansson.