PAUL AZINGER (Captain)
Profile:
48-year-old from Holyoake, Massachusetts. He won 11 tournaments on the PGA Tour between 1987 and 1993 before being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. After recovering from his illness he took another title at the Hawaii Open in 2000.
Career Highlight:
Winning the PGA Championship in 1993
Ryder Cup Record:
W5 L7 H3
Little Known Fact:
Azinger is an avid poker player and took part at both the 2006 and 2008 World Series of Poker tournaments.
Strength:
He's a feisty guy who's sure to stir up great patriotic pride in the American team.
Weakness:
Without Tiger Woods he'll have to fight hard to get the best out of a team that few commentators predict will win.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Birdie
PHIL MICKELSON
Profile:
The 38-year-old World No.2 hails from San Diego, California
Career Highlight:
Masters Winner in 2004, 2006. PGA Championship Winner 2005
Ryder Cup Record:
W9 L12 H4
Little Known Fact:
Despite being well-known as a left handed player, Mickelson is actually right handed.
Strength:
Consistency off the tee and his huge experience.
Weakness:
Can he handle the pressure when the going gets tough?
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Par
STEWART CINK
Profile:
35-year-old was born in Huntsville, Alabama and reached a career high world No.6 in June 2008
Career Highlight:
Tying for third place at the 2008 US Masters
Ryder Cup Record:
W3 L5 H4
Little Known Fact:
Stewart Cink is a massive fan of ice hockey and plays competitive roller-hockey in his spare time.
Strength:
His experience in a team full of rookies will be invaluable.
Weakness:
Cink's game suffers somewhat playing the Matchplay format.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Par
KENNY PERRY
Profile:
47-year-old (oldest man in the US team) from Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Career Highlight:
Qualifying to play in this year's Ryder Cup in his home State.
Ryder Cup Record:
W0 L2 H0
Little Known Fact:
Perry is currently the highest all-time PGA Tour money winner without a major championship.
Strength:
He's a local hero and is sure to have fervent support from the crowd.
Weakness:
He lost both matches on his debut in the Ryder Cup, can he put the demons to bed?
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Birdie
JIM FURYK
Profile:
38-year-old resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and turned professional in 1992
Career Highlight:
Winning the 2003 US Open
Ryder Cup Record:
W6 L12 H2
Little Known Fact:
The only instructor he's ever had is his dad, Mike Furyk.
Strength:
Gifted putter under pressure, his experience will also come in handy.
Weakness:
Too many finishes in second and third suggest he lacks killer instinct.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Birdie
ANTHONY KIM
Profile:
23-year-old, from Los Angeles turned professional in 2006.
Career Highlight:
Finishing 2nd at the Valero Texas Open in his first tournament as a professional.
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie
Little Known Fact:
Has a fondness for flashy belt-buckles displaying his initials AK.
Strength:
His consistency and a love for the limelight.
Weakness:
A lack of experience at the highest level of the game.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Par
JUSTIN LEONARD
Profile:
36-year-old from Dallas Texas
Career Highlight:
Winning the Open in 1997
Ryder Cup Record:
W0 L3 H5
Little Known Fact:
Despite being known for sealing the US victory in the 1999 Ryder Cup with a 45 foot putt, he's actually yet to win a match.
Strength:
His fitness levels are second to none so he'll have no problems playing the maximum number of holes.
Weakness:
Hasn't really lived up to the early career expectations.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Eagle
BEN CURTIS
Profile:
31-year-old from Stow, Ohio turned professional in 2000.
Career Highlight:
Winning the Open in 2003 despite being ranked outside the top 395 players in the World.
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie
Little Known Fact:
Curtis was invited to meet President Bush at the White House following his victory at the Open in 2003.
Strength:
He's a big tournament player, great on the greens and has a coolness under pressure.
Weakness:
Another rookie who has big questions to answer about handling the pressure in the heat of the moment.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Eagle
THOMAS 'BOO' WEEKLY
Profile:
35-year-old from Florida, turned professional in 1997.
Career Highlight:
Finished runner-up in last year's World Cup alongside compatriot Heath Slocum.
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie
Little Known Fact:
As a keen hunter, Boo is reported to have wrestled with alligators and once got stopped by airport security after they found two bullets in his luggage.
Strength:
He's a cult hero amongst the American fans and immensely popular with the other players.
Weakness:
He's yet to prove he can win big at high-profile tournaments.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Bogie
CHAD CAMPBELL
Profile:
34-year-old from Andrews, Texas turned professional in 1996.
Ryder Cup Record:
W1 L3 H2/Wildcard
Career Highlight:
In 2003 he won the prestigious Tour Championship.
Little Known Fact:
Campbell is a massive NASCAR fan and spends any free time track side.
Strength:
Inspirational personality and a desire for revenge following his loss to Luke Donald at the K Club which allowed Europe to retain the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Weakness:
His form this season has been erratic and his selection came as a surprise.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Par
J.B. HOLMES
Profile:
26-year-old from Campbellsville, Kentucky turned professional in 2005.
Career Highlight:
Reaching the Top 50 in the world rankings in April 2008.
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie/Wildcard
Little Known Fact:
Holmes is the fastest golfer to reach $1m in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
Strength:
Arguably the longest-hitter in golf he's known for regularly hitting in excess of 300 yards
Weakness:
An exciting gamble, only time will tell if he can handle the pressure-cooker environment.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Bogie
HUNTER MAHAN
Profile:
26-year-old from Orange County, California turned professional in 2003.
Career Highlight:
Being picked by Jack Nicklaus in 2007 to represent the US in the Presidents Cup.
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie/Wildcard
Little Known Fact:
He recently caused controversy by suggesting that the Ryder Cup turned players into 'slaves' for a week.
Strength:
His youthful confidence should see him playing with no fear.
Weakness:
His big mouth could cause a split in the US camp.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Par
STEVE STRICKER
Profile:
41-year-old from Stricker, Wisconsin turned professional in 1990.
Career Highlight:
Winning the 2001 Match Play Championship to earn the $1m prize
Ryder Cup Record:
Rookie/Wildcard
Little Known Fact:
His wife Nikki used to be his caddy.
Strength:
Solid, dependable player who's back performing consistently.
Weakness:
He's never experienced a major success.
Sport.co.uk Danger Rating:
Birdie