Ryder Cup: Meet Team USA

An inside look at the United States Ryder Cup team:

PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 40

World ranking: 2

Ryder Cups: 7 (10-14-6)

Skinny: Won an emotionally charged Masters, hitting a pivotal shot through a narrow gap between trees and finishing in tears. His wife Amy made her first public appearance since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. But since then, Mickelson rarely has been a factor in tournaments and has since been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

HUNTER MAHAN

Age: 28

World ranking: 15

Ryder Cups: 1 (2-0-3)

Skinny: Emerged as a force on the PGA Tour this year with victories at Phoenix Open and Bridgestone Invitational. Only one top-10 in the majors, though, a tie for 8th at the Masters. Also became engaged to former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Kandi Harris. Was the only American to play in all five matches at last Ryder Cup and went unbeaten.

BUBBA WATSON

Age: 31

World ranking: 24

Ryder Cups: Rookie

Skinny: One of the big hitters on tour, won the Travelers Championship this year. Lost to Martin Kaymer in a playoff at the PGA Championship, then raised eyebrows by saying that making the Ryder Cup team was bigger than winning a major. Wife Angie played in the WNBA.

JIM FURYK

Age: 40

World ranking: 6

Ryder Cups: 6 (8-13-3)

Skinny: Solid, straight-hitting veteran won two PGA Tour events in 2010, the Transitions Championship and the Verizon Heritage. Still, never made the expected splash at any of the majors. Once was seen as a good partner with Tiger Woods in cup matches but is unlikely to be paired with him this time. Best known this year for oversleeping, missing his pro-am tee time and being ruled ineligible at The Barclays.

STEVE STRICKER

Age: 43

World ranking: 4

Ryder Cups: 1 (0-2-1)

Skinny: Burnished his reputation as one of the best putters on tour by winning the Northern Trust Open and John Deere Classic this year. Moved into fourth place in world ranking. Like other U.S. golfers other than Mickelson, came up short in the majors. Oddly, won Comeback Player of the Year two years in a row. A quiet, steady, successful partner of Tiger Woods in the Presidents Cup and is considered most likely to be paired with Woods this week.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

Age: 26

World ranking: 12

Ryder Cups: Rookie

Skinny: The newsmaker of the year in golf, at least at the majors. Seemed like a good bet to win the U.S. Open, going into the last round with a lead at Pebble Beach, where he had won two AT &T National Pro-Ams, then had a meltdown on the first three holes. Seemed headed for a playoff at the PGA, only to be penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker (not realizing it was a bunker). Bounced back to won the BMW Championship during the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Likely to be Mickelson's partner.

JEFF OVERTON

Age: 27

World ranking: 49

Ryder Cups: Rookie

Skinny: Along with Watson and Johnson, a long-ball hitter who could give the U.S. a power advantage (word is that the rough has not been allowed to grow high at Celtic Manor). This year became the first U.S. player to make the Ryder Cup team on points without ever having won a PGA Tour event. Made the winning putt that secured the 2005 Walker Cup for U.S. amateurs.

MATT KUCHAR

Age: 32

World ranking: 10

Ryder Cups: Rookie

Skinny: A consistent, solid year turned into a potential Player of the Year season when he slipped into a playoff at The Barclays by Martin Laird's missed putt on No. 18 in regulation. Iced the playoff with an approach from the left rough that was one of the shots of the year. Possibly finally realizing the potential he showed as 1997 U.S. Amateur champion. Still a friend of his fellow Georgia Tech student, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.

STEWART CINK

Age: 37

World ranking: 35

Ryder Cups: 4 (4-7-4)

Skinny: Winning the 2009 British Open rather anonymously-after Tom Watson missed a putt on No. 18 to cause a playoff-didn't get Cink enough points to make the team. He became the first U.S. player to make the Ryder Cup three times as a captain's pick. Winless this year with no top 10s in the majors, was chosen for his calm demeanor and experience.

TIGER WOODS

Age: 34

World ranking: 1

Ryder Cups: 5 (10-13-2)

Skinny: Rather than deciding to take the rest of the year off to regroup and work on his game in private (as did Europe's Sergio Garcia), Woods made no secret of his desire to be on the Ryder Cup team. Some solid showings in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, especially in the first round of The Barclays, made him an easy choice for captain Corey Pavin. Denied speculation that he never liked Ryder Cup, saying he has made longtime friendships because of it. Failed to crack the top 30 for the Tour Championship this weekend, but always did prefer a week off before a big event.

ZACH JOHNSON

Age: 34

World ranking: 18

Ryder Cups: 1 (1-2-1)

Skinny: Of Pavin's four captain's picks, the only one to have won this year, the Colonial. Not a long hitter, but a reliable fairway-hitter with a good short game. Owes his career to investors at home in Iowa who put up $500 apiece to back him in his early years on tour. He acknowledged their help also after he won the 2007 Masters.

RICKIE FOWLER

Age: 21

World ranking: 32

Ryder Cups: Rookie

Skinny: Youngest captain's pick since Woods in 1997. Winless on tour, chosen because Pavin said he had a "gut feeling." Was 7-1 in Walker Cup international match play as an amateur. Is expected to bring fire supplied by Anthony Kim at the 2008 Ryder Cup. Says he will have no problem in the conservative team color scheme, rather than customary Oklahoma State bright orange.