2008 Ryder Cup Preview

Golf's premier competition is back as Europe aim to win there fourth Ryder Cup in a row against a determined American Team. Last winners in 1999, the American's are without World Number 1 Tiger Woods at Valhalla and have to rely on a less experienced team to get them through on this occasion.

Europe on the other hand have the in form player in the world right now, Padraig Harrington. The Irishman has won both the Open championship and the USPGA championship in Woods' absence and goes into the tournament as the most feared player on the tour. Under the leadership of Nick Faldo the Europeans go into the weekend as favorites to win there six Ryder Cup in seven years, the only American victory coming at Brookline in 1999 when Justin Leonard held a 35-footer to take the title for his team.

Paul Azinger, the American captain has gone with an inexperienced team of up and coming golfers who are motivated to win this elusive Ryder Cup trophy. Most of the pressure will be at the feet of Phil Mickelson. who is one of four previous major winners in the American team. Jim Furyk will also be important to the team who have six rookies in there team, to Europe's four. The experience within Europe's eight is actually the same as in the Amercian six who have appeared before, both holding 20 caps in each team. Jim Furyk is the holder of the most caps out of the two teams, having appeared in the last five Ryder Cups. Crucially however the world number nine only has one win under his name.

This is how the two sides line-up:

EUROPE

Padrig Harrington: The in-form player in the world right now needs to step up for the European team this week and show his class can be replicated in a team format, something Tiger Woods has rarely been able to do.

Lee Westwood: This man is a colossus when it comes to this weekend, he has played in every session in where he's been picked and never will Europe need him more than now. With experienced heads not in the team Westwood has a different role to play.

Sergio Garcia: Brilliant in the fourballs, not so in the foursomes Sergio's main contribution will come in the first two days and boy does he need to put some points on the board. His singles form in not the best just one win from four starts.

Henrik Stenson: Easily made the team this year with some solid major performances, holed the winning put in 2006 expect him to be on the front line again with compatriot Karlsson not far behind him, could well make an opening day partnership.

Robert Karlsson: Didn't win a match last time out but still the team went on to take the title, hoepfully his impression will be more hardly felt by the American side who have watched him play some delightful golf this year.

Miguel Angel Jimenez: An experienced head only making his third Ryder Cup appearance amazingly is always a safe bet when a point is needed, Faldo knows he can turn to the Spaniard to pull the goods out of the bag when needed.

Graeme McDowell: One of the few players on either side who prefers the team game. This week will suit his game and the possibility of playing with countryman Harringhton will just spur McDowell on more who will enjoy the hostile home crowd.

Justin Rose: In my opinion in this competition far to late, and I'm sure he'd think the same. having missed out on four Ryder Cups he'll want to make his mark and boy does he like doing in on American soil.

Soren Hanson: After Thomas Bjorn he's only the second Dane to compete in the Cup, maybe he lacks the big game experience but deffinetly has the ability to adapt to the situation.

Oliver Wilson: One of the quieter members of the team, made his place certain with some tidy rounds on the final weekend of qualifying. With the Amercian's not knowing much about the Englishman he may be underestimated when he should be feared.

Ian Poulter: For me Europe's joker in more ways than one. Poulter knows how to step up on the big stage and can produce the sort of gold to be Europe's player of the weekend. He will certainly get up the American's noses and won't let anyone intimidate him.

Paul Casey: The best matchplayer on the team and chosen just for that. Didn't have the best of times in the Majors but that isn't the best way to judge a Ryder Cup player, a matchplay title under his belt this year shows his pedigree.

Captain: Nick Faldo- Under huge pressure to replicate what Woosnam and Langer did in the last two years and bring home hansom European victories. Faldo has put some of the pressure on himself more than he has needed to. His bold selection policy shows that he has the makings of a strong captain, but whether he can hold is together for the weekend is another matter.


UNITED STATES

Phil Mickelson: Choosen to replace Woods as captain of the team, and just like Woods his record is lousy in this competition. Called the dream team two years ago when paired with Woods, a possible pairing with Furyk would get a similar billing, the duo will have to work hard to defer from a similar outcome.

Stewart Cink: If some of the American team are loud and eccentric, none more so than there captain, then Cink is much quieter and his golf reflects his nature. Wouldn't be surprised if he outscores any of the team with his relaxed style.

Kenny Perry: Certainly a player who quiet doesn't relate to. This man will thrive on a buzzing Kuntucky crowd and certainly have a performance to follow. Sure to be in America's top two or three come singles day.

Jim Furyk: For me the more talented player on the American team, and even though his record is retched is previous years he has the ability to turn it around, maybe a break from playing with Woods will ignite his Ryder Cup passion.

Anthony Kim: As Ian Poulter is for Europe, this is my joker for the week. The big hitter Kim makes garcia look like a 14 year-old with his tie offs. Again a relative unknown in Europe is sure to spring a surprise, don't be surprised if this man brings back a bag of points for the American team.

Justin Leonard: Aside from his shocking sportsmanship Leonard is a fine player and is finally recapturing the form that saw him win the Open in 1997. Has never recorded a Ryder Cup win in his career, but of course it only took a half in Brookline, it may only take that this time round.

Ben Curtis: Still behind the biggest Open shock maybe ever seen after his victory in 2003 against an all star cast. Curtis is a confidence player who if he builds some form could be on fire by the time the singles come around.

Boo Weekley. A name that sounds like a Ghost's magazine could give the European's a real scary if he's not taken seriously. Without the Woods the best striker of a ball in the team.

Chad Campbell: The lowest ranked player in Azinger's team is one of the weaker players available to the captain. Is always there of there abouts in the majors, but that will count for very little as he prepares to face the best in the world.

Steve Stricker: With Valhalla well known for its tricky greens this man was a necessity. Stricker is one of the best putters on the tour and is sure to be used in the fourballs at some point to press home and American advantage.

Hunter Mahan: As outspoken as Poulter and just as talented, he slagged off the Ryder Cup earlier this year and was a surprised inclusion as a wide-card. This big mouthed Amercian has a lot to prove.

JB Holmes: Another player who can light up the crowd, and is sure to fire up the Kentucky home support. A perfect decoy for one of the bigger players such as Cink or Mickelson.

Captain: Paul Azinger- The carismatic captain certainly comes across better than his compatriot Faldo, but he had to have the better at something after the duo's one sided affair when it came to playing. Azinger last cap was as early as the Belfry in 2002 and althgough his record wasn't the best he is determined to put that right this week.


So there you have it a full run down of the teams and a little bit about who should impress and who could make a surprise. Now I suppose your looking for a prediction and believe me fokes, it's one the hardest to call. Captaincy wise, Azinger looks streets ahead, Faldo never looks like he's taking things seriously enough for me. The team for me are a different story. In terms of not only experience but also current form the European team look far the stronger.

Europe always seem to perform well on the first few days and then hold on during the singles. This time round I actually think it will be the Europeans who will be expected to perform in the singles. I wouldn't be surprised if we're all square going into the last day and it comes down to one match at the end. If I'm going to stick my neck out I'll go for a European victory 15-13 for me, but boy will Azinger's men play there part.