Ryder Cup 2014: Complete Roster Info and Golfers to Watch
Losing on the golf course is one thing as a professional golfer, but losing in heartbreaking fashion on home turf as part of the Ryder Cup team with national pride on the line is a different set of circumstances altogether.
That is what the Americans dealt with at Medinah in 2012 after the European team came from behind to win the event. The United States’ search for revenge begins Friday at Gleneagles.
A quick glance at the rosters would tell you that both sides have three Ryder Cup rookies this year, although those Europeans with experience certainly pack a punch.
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Ryan O’Sullivan of Yahoo Sports noted that the nine Europeans with Ryder Cup experience boast a 69-42-18 overall record, while the Americans check in at 45-52-19.
That difference is hard to ignore, especially since Europe will have the home-turf advantage.
Here is a look at the complete rosters and some golfers to watch.
| Captain | Paul McGinley | Tom Watson |
| Player 1 | Rory McIlroy | Bubba Watson |
| Player 2 | Henrik Stenson | Rickie Fowler |
| Player 3 | Victor Dubuisson | Jim Furyk |
| Player 4 | Jamie Donaldson | Jimmy Walker |
| Player 5 | Sergio García | Phil Mickelson |
| Player 6 | Justin Rose | Matt Kuchar |
| Player 7 | Martin Kaymer | Jordan Spieth |
| Player 8 | Thomas Bjørn | Patrick Reed |
| Player 9 | Graeme McDowell | Zach Johnson |
| Wildcard | Stephen Gallacher | Keegan Bradley |
| Wildcard | Ian Poulter | Webb Simpson |
| Wildcard | Lee Westwood | Hunter Mahan |
Golfers to Watch
Rory McIlroy, Europe
Rory McIlroy’s 4-3-2 career record at the Ryder Cup may not be spectacular, but there was nobody better on the golf course during the 2014 season.
He won The Open Championship, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship and took the golf world by storm during his incredible run.
What’s more, McIlroy checks in at third on the Tour in driving distance, first in strokes gained: tee-to-green, first in strokes gained: total, first in birdie average and first in scoring average.
Those are some incredible numbers, which helped him earn the PGA of America Player of the Year Award & Vardon Trophy, as PGA of America pointed out:
He may have some teammates with better overall Ryder Cup resumes, but nobody is better suited to put Europe on his back than McIlroy. He has been so dominant this year on the course that it isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario where he gives his team some early momentum with a couple of impressive performances and then never looks back.
Sergio Garcia/Ian Poulter, Europe
We are lumping Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter together for a reason. Combined, they sport an incredible 28-11-4 record at the event and have ended American dreams in the past.
Garcia may be particularly valuable because of his success with Lee Westwood. The pair has gone 3-0-2 in foursomes and 1-1-0 in four-ball and will likely be together at some point in the 2014 event.
O’Sullivan of Yahoo Sports suggested as much, although he pointed out Garcia could play with someone else too:
"What to expect: In addition to some action with Westwood, it’s possible that the Spaniard draws a pairing with a player that emerges with a hot hand in latter sessions should Westy struggle. For the European’s to retain the Cup, Garcia must produce a winning record.
Prediction: 3-1-1 including a rare singles triumph.
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As for Poulter, he was a captain’s pick but is 12-3-0 in the Ryder Cup in his career. He just seems to elevate his game to a different level with national pride on the line, and there is no reason to expect anything differently this time around.
Sure, Poulter has struggled at times in 2014, but his record and track record is just too hard to ignore. Expect another impressive performance from the Ryder Cup specialist.
Rickie Fowler, United States
Rickie Fowler may be the Americans’ best hope based on his play in 2014 alone.
He was the only player to finish in the top five at all four majors, which is a testament to his consistency and potential as a golfer, and has been one of the most impressive players on Tour all year.
Fowler has struggled in the Ryder Cup though, boasting a 0-1-2 career record, but he does have some experience playing in Europe from the 2010 team.
The Americans are going to need a leader if they plan on winning the Ryder Cup back on European turf, and Fowler is a serious candidate given his recent play and the fact that he has been on this stage before.
He commented on the Ryder Cup, via Chris Murphy of CNN.com:
"With the past few cups going to Europe I feel like this is one that we need to win. I feel like Gleneagles is a good venue for the United States and I feel like we are putting together a good team.
I am excited to be on the team and, being on there in 2010 and coming up short, I want to be on the other side of that this year.
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The only way Fowler will be on the other side of that this year is if he leads the way for his team.
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