Colin Montgomerie started a guessing game by pencilling in the 12 players he thinks he will lead into Ryder Cup battle against the US in Wales a year from now. Only Monty knows the names on the list now locked "in a secret drawer", although the European captain has confirmed that it includes "a few rookies".
While there is a handful of certainties in the line-up, we could be in for a surprise or two. His team will be made up of the leading four Europeans from the world rankings at the end of August next year, the leading five from the European money list over the next 12 months, plus three captain's choices. Europe's chances would be strengthened if at least one more player came from the world rankings, although the team Monty leads out at Celtic Manor will still be very capable of regaining the Ryder Cup.
The first name on my list would be Sergio Garcia. While he had a poor Ryder Cup last year, Sergio's record in fourballs is fantastic and he is Europe's biggest talent. He has it in him to rediscover the putting magic he possessed when he first arrived on Tour. He is a great driver of the ball and a wonderful all-round strokemaker who loves matchplay golf and will be a key player for Europe. Lee Westwood is one of the best in the game from tee to green and will have a big part to play. His putting and chipping lack consistency but he makes up for that with the accuracy of his irons and he is as tough a Ryder Cup competitor as they come, especially when playing alongside Sergio.
Despite struggling with his game after starting the year with two major titles, Padraig Harrington has now found his form and is again looking one of the best players in the world He will have been one of the first on Monty's list, and Harrington's experience will make him a valuable ally for his captain as prepares his rookies for Ryder Cup combat. While Paul Casey has been out of action recently with a rib muscle problem, Europe will look to him to produce the form which took him to No 3 in the world rankings this year.
At his best Casey is virtually unbeatable, a long hitter capable of shots only a handful of players in the world can produce. His game, particularly his putting, can run a little hot and cold but when he is on form he looks like he can hole everything and he could be another of Monty's trump cards. Luke Donald missed the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla because of a wrist injury and while he is still not back to his best he is one of Europe's top players and Monty will expect great things from him.
He is the kind of player you need in foursomes and fourballs because he does not often miss a shot and could partner anyone. But his likely partner will be Casey as they have a good matchplay record together stretching back to Walker Cup days. Apart from his length off the tee, Henrik Stenson is an easy going guy who is popular with the rest of the players, offering Monty options when it comes to selecting his pairings. When on form he makes the game look easy. He is a very relaxed character with a sense of humour and will be a calming influence on the less experienced players.
Like Stenson, Martin Kaymer has great power at his disposal and uses a controlled fade to harness it. He has a solid short game although when under pressure he does not hit his putts firmly enough, otherwise he would have won more often. But he is maturing fast and if he can be half as effective in Ryder Cup action as his inspiration, Bernhard Langer, he could be a thorn in the side of the Americans.
Victory in the Dubai Desert Classis this year and some sparking performances in the US underlined Rory McIlroy's huge potential, and he could really let himself go in the Ryder Cup. When his timing is on he is even longer than Casey, and while he needs to sink more putts to live up to his promise as a future world No 1, he can be another key player for Europe. There are few better ball strikers than Ross Fisher, another long hitter who putts well and could play with anyone in any format. He should have won more events, and the Ryder Cup is the platform for him to show just how good he is.
Flamboyant and confident, Ian Poulter is also a very likeable golfer who loves the Ryder Cup and showed at Valhalla that he can be a big player for Europe. He is a good driver, an accurate iron player and a great putter, and if he hit the ball a little further would be a world beater. He has the aggression and desire needed to take on the Americans. Arguably Europe's longest hitter, Alvaro Quiros, plays with enormous passion which makes him so exciting to watch. He would be in my team, as would Justin Rose who has not played consistently well this year but will not be down for long and would be a great partner for his pal Poulter.
No place then for Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Soren Hansen, last year's European No 1 Robert Karlsson, who has been sidelined by an eye injury, or Chris Wood, a professional for just over a year and already up to 64th in the world rankings. I feel for Karlsson as an eye problem ended my career, and I hope he overcomes his soon and gets back to his best. No place either for Alex Noren, winner of the European Masters, the first event offering points for a place in Monty's team. It shows Europe's strength in depth, and Monty will be happy about that.
Former Tour player Philip Parkin is a golf commentator with the BBC in Europe and Golf Channel in the US. pparkin@thenational.ae
