Ryder Cup 2016: Team USA player-by-player guide
Who’s who in the battle at Hazeltine as Davis Love’s USA seek to end Europe’s winning streak in the Ryder Cup.
USA
Captain: Davis Love III
Vice-captains: Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson.
Dustin Johnson
Age 32
World ranking 2
Ryder Cup appearances 2
Ryder Cup record 4–3–0
PGA Tour wins 12
European Tour wins 0
Major wins US Open (2016)
Johnson is hoping it is third time lucky after two consecutive Ryder Cup defeats for the South Carolina native. The good news for USA is that the world No2 saves his best for the big occasions and 2016 seems to be going his way. After winning his first major at the US Open in June, Johnson won the BMW Championship on 11 September. Johnson has already stated his reluctance to pair with Phil Mickelson as he feels he plays better without him. “I love Phil and we’re great friends,” Johnson said, “but we have a lot more fun when we’re playing against each other, not as partners.” Luis Echegaray
Jordan Spieth
Age 23
World ranking 4
Ryder Cup appearances 1
Ryder Cup record 2–1–1
PGA Tour wins 8
European Tour wins 0
Major wins Masters (2015), US Open (2015)
Despite ending up on the losing team, Spieth was one of the best things to come out of 2014’s Ryder Cup but the Texan does not care about the past as he looks for vindication at Hazeltine. “You want something you don’t have,” he said. “That’s a trophy that I’ve watched the other side of, and it hurt. It was tough at the closing ceremony.” LE
Phil Mickelson
Age 46
World ranking 15
Ryder Cup appearances 10
Ryder Cup record 16–19–6
PGA Tour wins 42
European Tour wins 9
Major wins Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), PGA Championship (2005), the Open (2013)
The oldest playing member of the USA team has seen it all. No other American has played in more Ryder Cups and his presence is invaluable. Despite his longevity and experience against Europe, he has been part of only two winning USA teams – 1999 and 2008. They will hope the five-times major champion can not only perform but lead younger talent to victory. LE
Patrick Reed
Age 26
World ranking 8
Ryder Cup appearances 1
Ryder Cup record 3–0–1
PGA Tour wins 5
European Tour wins 1
Major wins 0
Reed has been in only one Ryder Cup but it was an eventful one to say the least. He was America’s best player in 2014 when he ended with a 3-0-1 record but European fans may remember him as the man who shushed them after a big putt. Reed is known for having a short fuse and his temper has caused him to say the wrong thing. If he is able to keep his cool, he could be one of USA’s biggest weapons. LE
Jimmy Walker
Age 37
World ranking 16
Ryder Cup appearances 1
Ryder Cup record 1–1–3
PGA Tour wins 6
European Tour wins 0
Major wins PGA Championship (2016)
Was extremely impressive as he won the PGA Championship last month, his first major. The 37-year-old has been working with Julie Elion, a sports psychologist, who has helped him tremendously with the mental side of his game. For Elion, the key was to help Walker relax and find his inner confidence. “He’s got a lot of cockiness in some ways,” Elion said. “He’s subtle about it but he knows who he is.” LE
Brooks Koepka
Age 26
World ranking 22
Ryder Cup appearances debut
Ryder Cup record 0-0-0
PGA Tour wins 1
European Tour wins 1
Major wins 0
One of two rookies in the US team, Koepka took an unusual route to the top table, starting out in European challenger events while his peers stayed in the US. It paid off, and his fourth place at the US Open 2014 marked him out as a potential star. Won his first and only PGA Tour event in Scottsdale in 2015 and missed this year’s Open with an ankle injury but should be fit for Hazeltine. His captain is a big fan. Hits the ball a long way, and could be a good pairing with Dustin Johnson. Tim Hill
Brandt Snedeker
Age 35
World ranking 23
Ryder Cup appearances 1
Ryder Cup record 1-2-0
PGA Tour wins 8
European Tour wins 0
Major wins 0
The Nashville-born Snedeker started the year with top-three finishes in his first three tournaments but wasn’t a definite for the team until a third place at the Wyndham in August. His previous Ryder Cup, in 2012, was a serious disappointment: he lost to Paul Lawrie in the singles as Europe charged to victory on that crazy final day at Medinah. Looks to be rejuvenated after dropping well down the rankings in 2014. Has a reputation as an excellent putter. TH
Zach Johnson
Age 40
World ranking 28
Ryder Cup appearances 4
Ryder Cup record 6-6-2
PGA Tour wins 12
European Tour wins 2
Major wins Masters (2007), the Open (2015)
In a team short on major winners, Johnson’s experience under pressure is a welcome addition and, at 40, he is a solid cog in the machine. His 6-6-2 Ryder Cup record over four tournaments is excellent but he has yet to finish on a winning team. Has a reputation as a grinder and makes few mistakes, though lacks the explosiveness of some of his younger team-mates. Should have plenty of fans in attendance from his home state of Iowa. TH
The captain’s picks
JB Holmes
Age 34
World ranking 21
Ryder Cup appearances 1
Ryder Cup record 2-0-1
PGA Tour wins 4
European Tour wins 0
Major wins 0
Ranks second in the US PGA’s drive distance, which could come in handy on the long Hazeltine course. Played in USA’s victory over Europe in 2008, where he finished with a 2-0-1 record, and is coming off a fourth-place finish at the BMW Championship at Lake Forest. “JB is so steady, easy to pair, has a lot of experience, is consistent and been on a winning Ryder Cup team in the past,” said Love when he announced his picks. They are as good a reason as any for his selection. TH
Rickie Fowler
Age 27
World ranking 9
Ryder Cup appearances 2
Ryder Cup record 0-3-5
PGA Tour wins 3
European Tour wins 2
Major wins 0
Made the cut as one of four wildcard picks, which, considering he has never won a Ryder Cup match, is a vote of confidence from the captain. Fowler is charismatic and marketable, and a favourite with American fans, but he’s short on outright championship wins – he has only three titles to his name since turning pro in 2010. He does have eight top-10 finishes in 23 starts this season, and in 2014 finished in the top five in all four majors. Fearless style could be a match-winner.TH
Matt Kuchar
Age 38
World ranking 17
Ryder Cup appearances 3
Ryder Cup record 4-5-2
PGA Tour wins 7
European Tour wins 0
Major wins 0
Solid and steady, Kuchar will not set hearts racing but his record in the Ryder Cup is good. Has experience, which probably landed him the nod over Bubba Watson. He won bronze at the Olympics behind Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, and has earned a reputation on the PGA Tour as a consistent performer, with 76 top-10 finishes in the past decade. Has seven PGA Tour wins, although his last one was in 2014. Has finished in the Masters top 10 three times. TH
Ryan Moore
Age 33
World ranking 31
Ryder Cup appearances debut
Ryder Cup record 0-0-0
PGA Tour wins 5
European Tour wins 0
Major wins 0
The man in form, Moore’s late-season hot streak earned him the final captain’s pick over Watson. At 33, he is no greenhorn. Has won five PGA titles and has put together the best year of his career. His second-place finish to McIlroy at the Tour Championship at East Lake seemed to swing the balance for Love. Won the John Deere Classic in August and has had three top-10 finishes in the FedEx Cup play-offs. Stocky of build and no stranger to natty attire, the bearded Moore represented the US as an amateur in the Walker and Palmer cups. TH
