Ryder Cup: Our guide to the Europe and USA teams
Despite being Ryder Cup holders, Europe are considered underdogs at Whistling Straits this week with an average world ranking of 30.08 to USA's nine.
The Americans do have six rookies in their ranks however, with Europe's 12 players among the most experienced units they have ever assembled. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Europe's Ryder Cup team, player-by-player
Jon Rahm: Spain
Age: 26 World ranking: 1 Ryder Cups: 1
Strengths: Best player in the world, the US Open champion and statistically the strongest player on the PGA Tour from tee to green last season by some margin. Aggressive enough to suit fourballs and consistent enough for foursomes too. Weaknesses: There are no weaknesses technically, but a fiery temperament could be preyed upon by the boisterous home crowd on only his second Ryder Cup appearance. That said, his emotional control has improved and he is used to playing in America.
Tommy Fleetwood: England
Age: 30 WR: 38 RCs: 1
Strengths: Incredible Ryder Cup debut with fours points out of five in Paris three years ago. A tremendous driver and iron player at his best, Fleetwood is rounding into form with six rounds in the 60s across the Italian Open and BMW PGA Championship.
Weaknesses: Driving was surprisingly errant for much of the year and has not won a title anywhere in the world since November 2019. Playing partner in Paris Francesco Molinari did not qualify.
Tyrrell Hatton: England
Age: 29 WR: 17 RCs: 1
Strengths: Made the team on the back of his form in early 2021 and can be a pin-point iron player capable of knocking pins out of the ground when he gets his eye in. Tends to fare well on tough courses.
Weaknesses: Only won one point on debut in 2018, and his questionable temperament will be tested by the Ryder Cup pressure cooker. Has not had a top-10 since June and has missed the cut in four of his last six starts.
Bernd Wiesberger: Austria
Age: 35 WR: 63 RCs: 0
Strengths: First Austrian to play in the Ryder Cup and has been one of the European Tour's most consistent players. Three wins in a golden spell in 2019 and added another title this year. Plenty of power which suits Whistling Straits.
Weaknesses: Rookie status and one top-10 in his last six starts. Gave away the Omega European Masters with a double-bogey on the 72nd hole last month - will that leave scars?
Rory McIlroy: Northern Ireland
Age: 32 WR: 13 RCs: 6
Strengths: Now a seasoned Ryder Cup player, the golfing world knows that McIlroy's best is hard for anyone to match. Immense distance off the tee, sparkling iron play and an underrated short game. There was a 64, 65, 66 and two 67s in his previous two tournaments, suggesting form is trending upward.
Weaknesses: Loose approach shots with his wedges have been a frustrating problem all season, and McIlroy can be rather mercurial. You can get away with some lapses in matchplay, though.
Viktor Hovland: Norway
Age: 23 WR: 14 RCs: 0
Strengths: Has enjoyed a hugely impressive ascent up the rankings since turning professional and is tipped to be a major champion and World No 1 of the future. His driving can be spectacular.
Weaknesses: Can get a bit twitchy over chip shots off tight lies, though this facet of his game has developed. Also one of Europe's three rookies.
Paul Casey: England
Age: 44 WR: 22 RCs: 4
Strengths: A winner of the old HSBC World Matchplay at Wentworth, Casey enjoys the head-to-head battle and has been ultra consistent this season with seven top 10s on the PGA Tour in 2021. Powerful ball-striker.
Weaknesses: Does not get himself across the winning line often enough for a player of his talent, but then that's not the task at hand in a Ryder Cup. How are the nerves at 44?
Matt Fitzpatrick: England
Age: 27 WR: 26 RCs: 1
Strengths: Motivated to right the wrongs of a disappointing debut at Hazeltine in 2016. Fitzpatrick is a very straight driver and a match for any player on either side with the putter.
Weaknesses: The vast fairways and premium on distance at Whistling Straits do not appear to suit Fitzpatrick's game. Without a top 10 since the Scottish Open in July, missing two of his last three cuts.
Lee Westwood: England
Age: 48 WR: 33 RCs: 10
Strengths: Experience in abundance as he equals Sir Nick Faldo’s European record of 11 Ryder Cup appearances. Was in a rich vein of form stateside in early 2021 with runner-up finishes at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass. Tee-to-green consistency has always been Westwood's calling card.
Weaknesses: Is the putter going to behave? That early season form has faded, and don't underestimate how sapping a walk Whistling Straits will be in a hectic week. Might need to be rested for a session or two.
Sergio García: Spain
Age: 41 WR: 41 RCs: 9
Strengths: No player has won more points in the history of the Ryder Cup. His driving remains the envy of most players and seven rounds in the 60s in his last two tournaments.
Weaknesses: Garcia's putting is not entirely trustworthy despite some good weeks. There is also history with Europe captain Padraig Harrington, who once described Garcia as the "antithesis of me".
Ian Poulter: England
Age: 45 WR: 48 RCs: 6
Strengths: Europe's self-styled 'Postman' - so called for his unerring ability to deliver points - is another player who comes alive in the Ryder Cup. A fantastic pressure putter from short to mid-range.
Weaknesses: Poulter has never been the strongest ball-striker, and his form coming into Ryder Cup week is modest. Only one victory worldwide since winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2012.
Shane Lowry: Ireland
Age: 34. WR: 40 RCs: 0
Strengths: Blessed with a short game from heaven which could have opponents tearing their hair out in matchplay. While Whistling Straits is not a true links, Lowry also has a strong record on coastal courses and in breezy conditions.
Weaknesses: Not much recent form to speak of and can be prone to inconsistency. Ranked 140th for strokes gained putting on the PGA Tour last season.
US Ryder Cup team, player-by-player
Collin Morikawa
Age: 24. World ranking: 3. Ryder Cups: 0
Strengths: Best iron player in the game - with the potential to be the best of all time. Laughable to think of him as a rookie, with two majors to his name.
Weaknesses: Has been carrying a back injury and not had a top 25 in his last four events. His putting is streaky. The Europeans will keep gimmes to a minimum.
Dustin Johnson
Age: 37. WR: 2. RCs: 4
Strengths: Remains one of the top ball-strikers and if he is on his day then nigh on unbeatable. Would have won the USPGA at Whistling Straits in 2010, but for a rules rumpus.
Weaknesses: Does not bring any passion - or energy - to the teamroom. Won only one point out of five in last match. Hard to believe he has a losing percentage.
Bryson DeChambeau
Age: 27. WR: 7. RCs: 1
Strengths: Strength. Hits the ball unprecedented distances and has the wherewithal to exploit this advantage. Great putter if his armlock method is in the mood.
Weaknesses: A loner who has fallen out with a few on this team - not just Koepka. Who to partner him with? Psyche appears extremely brittle at the moment.
Brooks Koepka
Age: 31. WR: 10. RCs: 2
Strengths: Has everything, including four majors. One of the few on the team with a winning percentage. Unflappable temperament but with the necessary feistiness.
Weaknesses: Pulled out of last week’s FedEx Cup with a wrist injury. Has his beef with DeChambeau and famously had a dust up with Johnson in the after-match party of 2018..
Justin Thomas
Age: 28. WR: 6. RCs: 1
Strengths: Hard to believe this is only his second Ryder Cup. An all-rounder with everything you would wish from a team player. Incredibly popular. Easy to pair.
Weaknesses: Has not won since The Players in May and nowhere near his best form. Has not putted well in the last few months and is susceptible on the knee-rattlers.
Patrick Cantlay
Age: 29. WR: 4. RCs: 0
Strengths: Fresh off winning the $15 million (£10.8 million) FedEx Cup, Cantlay is at the peak. Former world No 1 amateur does everything well, but his scrambling stands out.
Weaknesses: Maybe his ultra laidback persona does not suit the frenzy of the Ryder Cup, but it could well prove an advantage. In truth, hard to see many faults.
Jordan Spieth
Age: 28. WR: 15. RCs 3
Strengths: Finally ended his four-year barren run with victory in Texas in April and went on to finish third in the Masters and second at The Open. Spieth is back.
Weaknesses: The demons of his slump are still in there somewhere and he no longer has that intimidation factor. Has played averagely since Royal St George’s.
Tony Finau
Age: 31. WR: 9. RCs: 1
Strengths: Hits the ball a mile with a broad smile. Won again earlier this month after a baffling five-year hiatus. A birdie machine who can play fourball with anyone.
Weakness: Seems to alter his putting grip more often than he changes his ball. Extremely vulnerable over the short ones. Opponents will try to capitalise.
Xander Schauffele
Age: 27. WR: 5. RCs: 0
Strengths: Olympic gold-medallist who seems to contend in each and every major. Similar to Rory McIlroy in not allowing his smaller physique to curtail his driving.
Weaknesses: The stats suggest there is not a weakness. For some reason he went to an armlock grip with his putting recently before switching back. Does that signify doubt?
Harris English
Age: 32. WR: 11. RCs: 0
Strengths: Was lost a few years ago, but has enjoyed a dramatic recovery, winning twice this year with four more top threes. Calls himself a “Swiss Army Knife”. Can play with anyone.
Weaknesses: Not the greatest short-game and this could be brutally exposed in matchplay. English is very quiet and will rely on others to bring the spark.
Scottie Scheffler
Age: 25. WR: 21. RCs: 0
Strengths: Just completed his second year on Tour, Scheffler already has a 59 , as well as eight top fives. Clearly loves the spotlight. Finished in top eight of the last three majors.
Weaknesses: The surprise pick in the fact he is the only member of the team without a Tour title. Was not overly impressive at the 2017 Walker Cup. Has everything to prove.
Daniel Berger
Age: 28. WR: 16. RCs: 0
Strengths: Son of Jay, the former Davis Cup player, Daniel has been resurgent in the last 18 months with two wins and four more top threes. A fine ball-striker.
Weaknesses: Has transformed his short-game but it will still be seen as a weakness by his opponents, especially in the pressure of the cauldron.
*Rankings correct as of 21/09/2021
