Europe’s Ryder Cup team was completed on Tuesday as captain Darren Clarke handed wild cards to Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters. Here are the 12:
Rory McIlroy (NIR)
Record: Won 6 Lost 4 Halved 4
Described the Ryder Cup as “an exhibition” the year before making his debut in 2010, but has changed his opinion since the victories at Celtic Manor and Medinah, where he beat Keegan Bradley despite only arriving at the course with minutes to spare.
Danny Willett (ENG)
Record: Debut
One of five rookies to qualify automatically, albeit as a major champion following his superb victory in the Masters in April.
Henrik Stenson (SWE)
Record: W5 L4 H2
Played a vital part in the victory at Gleneagles, combining with Justin Rose to win all three of their matches. Ongoing back injury could be a concern.
Chris Wood (ENG)
Record: Debut
Came to prominence when finishing tied fifth in the 2008 Open while still an amateur and was third as a professional the following year. Secured his Ryder Cup place by winning the BMW PGA Championship in May.
Sergio Garcia (ESP)
Record: W18 L9 H5
A mainstay for Europe, so much so that he was brought in as a vice-captain by Colin Montgomerie in 2010. Won two-and-a-half points from four matches at Gleneagles, crucially beating Jim Furyk in the singles as he had done at Medinah two years earlier.
Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP)
Record: Debut
He secured his place in the side with a highly consistent season which included back-to-back runners-up finishes in Qatar and Dubai and five other top-five finishes in strokeplay competitions.
Justin Rose (ENG)
Record: W9 L3 H2
Played all five matches in 2014, finishing unbeaten and as Europe’s top scorer with three wins and two halved matches. Claimed gold in the Olympics in Rio.
Andy Sullivan (ENG)
Record: Debut
Won his first two European Tour titles before Ryder Cup qualifying started, but then added the Portugal Masters in October last year.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG)
Record: Debut
The former US Amateur champion spent the most time in the automatic qualifying positions after winning his first European Tour title in the British Masters last October and also finishing fourth in the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai.
Martin Kaymer (GER)
Record: W4 L3 H3
Won both the Players Championship and US Open by leading from start to finish in 2014, his last victories to date.
Lee Westwood (ENG)
Record: W20 L15 H6
Boasts vast experience with nine consecutive appearances since making his debut in 1997. He has shown form and was second in the Masters in April.
Thomas Pieters (BEL)
Record: Debut
He has peaked at the right time by finishing fourth in the Olympics, second in the Czech Masters and then winning Mais In Denmark. His big hitting will be an advantage at Hazeltine.
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