Ryder Cup - Team Europe

Automatic Qualifiers

RORY McILROY (Northern Ireland)
Age 27
Appearances 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)
Record Won 6 Lost 4 Halved 4
Majors 4 (2011 US Open, 2012 US PGA, 2014 Open, 2014 US PGA)
Famously described the Ryder Cup as ‘‘an exhibition’‘ before making his debut in 2010, but has changed his view since the narrow victories at Celtic Manor and Medinah, where he beat Keegan Bradley in the singles despite only arriving at the course with minutes to spare. Won three points from five matches at Gleneagles in 2014, most importantly a crushing singles victory over Rickie Fowler. In sparkling form.

DANNY WILLETT (England)
Age 28
Appearances 0

Majors 1 (2016 Masters)
One of five rookies to qualify automatically, albeit as a major champion after winning The Masters in April. Famously beat McIlroy in the first round of the Amateur Championship in 2007 and was on the same Walker Cup team later that year, where he halved two and lost two of his four matches in a narrow defeat at Royal County Down.

HENRIK STENSON (Sweden)
Age 40
Appearances 3 (2006, 2008, 2014)
Record W5 L4 H2
Majors 1 (2016 Open)
Played a vital part in the victory at Gleneagles, combining with Justin Rose to win all three of their matches together. Claimed his first major title with a record-breaking performance in the Open at Royal Troon in July and took silver behind Rose in golf’s return to the Olympics in Rio. Ongoing back and knee injuries could be a concern.

CHRIS WOOD (England)
Age 28
Appearances 0
Majors 0
Came to prominence when finishing tied fifth in the 2008 Open while still an amateur and was third as a professional the following year, missing out on the playoff between Stewart Cink and Tom Watson by a single shot after a bogey on the 72nd hole. Secured his Ryder Cup place by winning the BMW PGA Championship in May but missed The Open with a neck injury.

SERGIO GARCIA (Spain)
Age 36
Appearances 7 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014)
Record W18 L9 H5
Majors 0
A talismanic figure for Europe, so much so that he was brought in as a vice-captain by Colin Montgomerie in 2010 despite becoming disenchanted with golf and taking a two-month break from playing. Won two and a half points from four matches at Gleneagles, beating Jim Furyk in the singles as he had done at Medinah two years earlier.

RAFAEL CABRERA-BELLO (Spain)
Age 32
Appearances 0
Majors 0
His only victory on the European Tour came back in 2012, but Cabrera-Bello secured his place in the side with a consistent season which included back-to-back runners-up finishes in Qatar and Dubai and five other top-five finishes, including the Olympics. Was also third in the WGC-Dell Match Play after beating McIlroy in the consolation match in Texas.

JUSTIN ROSE (England)
Age 36
Appearances 3 (2008, 2012, 2014)
Record W9 L3 H2
Majors 1 (2013 US Open)
Played all five matches at Medinah in 2012 and did so again in 2014, finishing unbeaten and as Europe’s top scorer with three wins and two halved matches, including in the singles against Hunter Mahan. Won the gold medal at the Olympics in Rio after a thrilling battle with Gleneagles partner Stenson.

ANDY SULLIVAN (England)
Age 30
Appearances 0
Majors 0
A member of the victorious Walker Cup team in 2011, Sullivan won his first two European Tour titles before Ryder Cup qualifying started, but then added the Portugal Masters in October last year and pushed McIlroy all the way in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Also finished second in Dubai but missed the cut in the final two qualifying events.

MATT FITZPATRICK
Age 22
Appearances 0
Majors 0
The former US Amateur champion spent the most time in the automatic qualifying positions after winning his maiden European Tour title in the British Masters last October and also finishing fourth in the DP World Tour Championship. Suffered a loss of form after winning the Nordea Masters in June but secured his berth with fifth place in the penultimate event.

Wild Cards

MARTIN KAYMER (Germany)
Age 31
Appearances 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)
Record W4 L3 H3
Majors 2 (2010 US PGA, 2014 US Open)
Admitted his form was so poor that he would not have picked himself for the team in 2012, but qualified automatically and ended up securing the point which ensured Europe would retain the trophy with victory over Steve Stricker. Won both the Players Championship and US Open by leading from start to finish in 2014. Encouraging recent form.

LEE WESTWOOD (England)
Age 43
Appearances 9 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Record W20 L15 H6
Majors 0
Boasts vast experience with nine consecutive appearances since making his debut in 1997 and was always expected to be selected by friend and captain Darren Clarke if he failed to qualify. Had to show some form to justify his place and was second in the Masters in April and 14th in the world points list.

THOMAS PIETERS (Belgium)
Age 24
Appearances 0
Majors 0
Discovered his best form at the right time by finishing fourth at the Olympics, second in his defence of the Czech Masters and winning the final qualifying event in Denmark, after shooting opening rounds of 62 and 71 while playing alongside Clarke. Big hitting will be an advantage at Hazeltine.