GOLF: EUROPEAN RYDER CUP TEAM

Bernard Gallacher

Captain

On his third stint as captain after playing in the event eight times. Wanted to step down after The Belfry defeat two years ago, but players persuaded him otherwise. Under fire for selection policy and has to do better with pairings than at Kiawah.

Seve Ballesteros

(Spain)

Age 38. Majors: 5 (Open 1979, 84, 88; Masters 1980, 83)

Ryder Cup caps: 7 (1979, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P34 W19 H5 L10

Inspirational figure, but without his own inspiration, Jose Maria Olazabal - they lost just twice in 15 matches. Won his 71st tournament in May, but has missed stream of half-way cuts since. Expected to be captain in Valderrama next time.

Howard Clark

(England)

Age 41.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 5 (1977, 81, 85, 87, 89)

Record: P13 W6 H1 L6

Last played in cup six years ago, and has not won a tournament in the meantime, though has been second five times in last two years. Last game in cup was 8 and 7 whipping by Tom Kite.

Nick Faldo

(England)

Age 38. Majors: 5 (Open 1987, 90, 92; Masters 1989, 90)

Ryder Cup caps: 9 (1977, 79, 81 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P36 W19 H4 L13

Equals Christy O'Connor's Ryder Cup appearance record. Picked up one win early in season in US, but finished outside top 20 in all four majors. Needed wild-card invitation, as in 1985 and 1991.

David Gilford

(England)

Age 29.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 1 (1991)

Record: P2 L2

Unhappy debut at Kiawah Island - being thumped in foursomes with Montgomerie and Faldo. Unbeaten when England won Dunhill Cup the following year. Cattle farmer in spare time.

Mark James

(England)

Age 41.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 6 (1977, 79, 81, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P22 W7 H1 L14

Yorkshireman, Star Trek fanatic and chairman of the European Tour's tournament committee. Failed to win a point last time.

Per-Ulrik Johansson

(Sweden)

Age 28.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup debut

Second Swede to play in Cup. College team-mate of Phil Mickleson. Played in winning Swedish teams in Dunhill and World Cups.

Bernhard Langer

(Germany)

Age 38.

Majors: 2 (Masters 1985, 93)

Ryder Cup caps: 7 (1981, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P29 W13 H5 L11

Fearsome and fearless competitor. Followed famous missed putt at Kiawah Island with huge win the next weekend. Back problem kept him out of US PGA last month.

Colin Montgomerie

(Scotland)

Age 32.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 2 (1991, 93)

Record: P8 W4 H2 L2

Lost play-off for US PGA Championship last month and promptly won two of next three tournaments. World's highest-ranked player (5) without a major.

Costantino Rocca

(Italy)

Age 38.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 1 (1993)

Record: P2 L2

Former factory worker who has not won a tournament for two years. Will forever be labelled choker after duffed chip and Open play-off this year and loss to Davis Love two years ago.

Sam Torrance

(Scotland)

Age 42.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup caps: 7 (1981, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P23 W4 H6 L13

Sank 1985 winning putt to end America's 28-year grip on trophy. In best form of career at moment. Top of European order of merit with three wins and two seconds.

Philip Walton

(Ireland)

Age 33.

Majors: 0

Ryder Cup debut

Ended five-year barren spell at Catalan Open, then added English Open. Showed nerves in twitchy performances during last qualifying events - last automatic qualifier.

Ian Woosnam

(Wales)

Age 37.

Majors: 1 (Masters 1991)

Ryder Cup caps: 6 (1983, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93)

Record: P26 W12 H4 L10

Europe's top points scorer last time with 41/2 points out of five. Second when the 1989 US Open was staged at Oak Hill. Surprisingly, has never won a cup singles.