Here is a breakdown of United States captain Tom Watson’s 12-man roster for the 40th Ryder Cup, which will be Sept. 26-28 at PGA Centenary Course in Gleneagles, Scotland. Click here for European team capsules. The Europeans are the reigning champion, having won, 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 at Medinah Country Club in 2012.
Bubba Watson
Age: 35
Record: 3-5-0 (3rd appearance)
World ranking: 7
PGA Tour victories: 6
The lowdown: Equipped with game-changing length, Watson should have a huge advantage on a course that likely will play long and soft – if he can stay mentally in the game. He’ll have to turn around his recent form, however, as he has no top 10s since June.
Rickie Fowler
Age: 25
Record: 0-1-2 (2nd appearance)
World ranking: 10
PGA Tour victories: 1
The lowdown: He’s arguably the team’s best player, with no finish outside the top 13 since June. Fowler will look to ride the momentum of his last Ryder Cup overseas, when he made four consecutive birdies in singles to steal a half point.
Jim Furyk
Age: 44
Record: 9-17-4 (9th appearance)
World ranking: 4
PGA Tour victories: 16
The lowdown: The grizzled veteran is enjoying the most consistent year of his career, albeit without a victory. Though he has a troubling record in this event, he is quick to remind that he’s also been a part of numerous losing teams.
Jimmy Walker
Age: 35
Record: Rookie
World ranking: 19
PGA Tour victories: 3
The lowdown: The power player has cooled a bit since his torrid start to the season, but his solid all-around game should make him an ideal partner.
Phil Mickelson
Age: 44
Record: 14-18-6 (10th appearance)
World ranking: 11
PGA Tour victories: 42
The lowdown: This is his team with Tiger Woods at home. Mickelson will likely partner with Keegan Bradley and perhaps Rickie Fowler during team play, and this is an opportunity for Lefty to end his most frustrating season on a high note.
Matt Kuchar
Age: 36
Record: 3-2-2 (3rd appearance)
World ranking: 9
PGA Tour victories: 7
The lowdown: Kooch has the perfect temperament for match play, and his record proves it – he’s undefeated in team play in two previous Ryder Cup appearances. His game clearly travels everywhere, which is good news for the U.S., because he comes in riding four consecutive top 15s.
Jordan Spieth
Age: 21
Record: Rookie
World ranking: 13
PGA Tour victories: 1
The lowdown: Perhaps not as sharp as he was at this time last year, Spieth is a firecracker who knows how to win in match play, whether it’s at the U.S. Junior (two-time winner), NCAA Championship (helped Texas win title) or WGC-Match Play (T-5).
Patrick Reed
Age: 24
Record: Rookie
World ranking: 27
PGA Tour victories: 3
The lowdown: A sleeper to lead the U.S. in points, Reed went 6-0 in match play while leading Augusta State to back-to-back national titles. He should thrive while playing in a hostile environment.
Zach Johnson
Age: 38
Record: 6-4-1 (4th appearance)
World ranking: 16
PGA Tour victories: 11
The lowdown: It’s been a quiet summer, save for the runner-up at the Deere, but he’s a gritty competitor who should match up favorably with any potential partner.
Keegan Bradley
Age: 28
Record: 3-1-0 (2nd appearance)
World ranking: 26
PGA Tour victories: 3
The lowdown: Eats, sleeps and breathes the Ryder Cup, which made him a no-brainer choice as a captain’s pick. If he and Mickelson can pick up off where they left off at Medinah, look out.
Hunter Mahan
Age: 32
Record: 3-2-3 (3rd appearance)
World ranking: 21
PGA Tour victories: 6
The lowdown: His late-season surge cemented his place on the team, after a top 15 at Bridgestone, top 10 at Valhalla and then a victory at the playoff-opening Barclays. He also seeks redemption after what happened during the Americans’ last trip across the pond,
Webb Simpson
Age: 29
Record: 2-2-0 (2nd appearance)
World ranking: 33
PGA Tour victories: 4
The lowdown: Simpson has been hit-or-miss for the past few months, so his T-9 at Deutsche Bank was good timing. He’s also a good teammate, above-average putter and easy-matching partner.
