European Ryder Cup Roster: Colin Montgomerie Adds Swagger, Enthusiasm As Captain
European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie (47) has never lost a Ryder Cup singles match, and now he looks to bring a team of youth and experience to Celtic Manor to vie for the Ryder Cup Title.
The standard of European golf has been second to none this year, which made choosing a team much more difficult.
Montgomerie believes he has created a team with both youth and experience. He has both aggressive and conservative players on this team and how he pairs them together will show his incredible understanding of the Ryder Cup format.
In 2008, the European team was criticized for their lack of enthusiasm. That won't be the case under Captain Montgomerie.
He is counting on his love for the Ryder Cup format and his enthusiasm for the competitive style of play to rub off on the European team.
Even though the Ryder Cup is a biennial event, Montgomerie insists he would like to participate in 2012 as well.
That would put Montgomerie at age 49, but with his experience and level of play, he may just get that chance.
Luke Campbell Donald
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Luke Donald of England turned pro in 2001 and has played in the Ryder Cup in 2004 (winner) and 2006 (winner).
Played four times with Sergio Garcia in Ryder Cup foursome matches and won them all.
Has yet to be beaten in his five matches in fourball and foursome play in the Ryder Cup.
Has a flawless record in Ryder Cup foursomes: Played in four, won four.
Ross Daniel Fisher
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Ross Fisher of England turned pro in 2004. Has never played in the Ryder Cup.
Becomes the 69th different English player to play in the Ryder Cup.
He is one of the tallest players on the European Ryder Cup Team at 6' 3".
European Tour International Victories: 4
Peter Hanson
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Peter Hanson of Sweden turned pro in 1998. Has never played in the Ryder Cup.
Becomes only the ninth Swede to play in the Ryder Cup.
Won the Czech Open in 2010
European Tour International Victories: 4
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Padraig Harrington
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Padraig Harrington of Ireland turned pro in 1995. Played in the Ryder Cup in 1999 (winner), 2002 (winner), 2004 (winner) and 2008.
Played in the opening game of each of the last three Ryder Cups, with Colin Montgomerie in 2004 and 2006 fourballs and Robert Karlsson in 2008 foursomes.
Harrington has played in eight Ryder Cup matches that have gone to the 18th hole.
European Tour International Victories: 14
US PGA Tour Victories: 5
Tournament Victories: 10
Major Championships: 3
Miguel Angel Jimenez
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Miguel Jimenez turned pro in 1982. Played in the 1999 (winner), 2004 (winner) and 2008 Ryder Cups.
Played in all five sessions on his Ryder Cup debut in 1999 winning two points.
At 46, Jimenez is the oldest player competing in the 2010 Ryder Cup.
European Tour International Victories: 17
Tournament Victories: 3
*Was a Vice-Captain in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Club de Golf Valderrama.
Martin Kaymer
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Martin Kaymer of Germany turned pro in 2005. Has never played in the Ryder Cup.
Second German to play in the Ryder Cup after Bernhard Langer.
One of five players in their 20's on the European Team.
Finished in 10th place in the final 2008 European Ryder Cup Points List, one place outside making the team.
European Tour International Victories: 5
Tournament Victories: 7
Major Championships: 1
Graeme McDowell
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Graeme McDowell of Ireland turned pro in 2002. Played in the 2008 Ryder Cup.
Will be the first European to play in the Ryder Cup as the reigning US Open Champion.
269 was McDowell's winning total at the 2010 Celtic Manor Wales Open.
European Tour International Victories: 6
US PGA Tour Victories: 1
Major Championships: 1
Rory McIlroy
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Rory McIlroy of Ireland turned pro in 2007. Has never played in the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy becomes the second youngest player to have been a member of the European Junior Ryder Cup team and then go on to play in the Ryder Cup (following Sergio Garcia).
At age 21, McIlroy is the youngest player on either team at the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy was part of the winning European Junior Ryder Cup team.
European Tour International Victories: 1
US PGA Tour Victories: 1
Edoardo Molinari
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Edoardo Molinari of Italy turned pro in 2006. He has never played in the Ryder Cup.
With his brother Francesco on the team, this will be the third time in Ryder Cup history that brothers have played on the same team.
Finished fifth in both the Ryder Cup World List and the European Ryder Cup List.
During the qualifying period for the Ryder Cup he amassed more wins worldwide than any other player.
European Tour International Victories: 2
Tournament Victories: 6
Francesco Molinari
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Francesco Molinari of Italy turned pro in 2004. Has never played in the Ryder Cup.
Had 10 top ten finishes during the qualifying period for the Ryder Cup.
European Tour International Victories: 1
*The last time he was part of a team, Molinari won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for Italy with his brother, Edoardo.
Ian Poulter
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Ian James Poulter of England turned pro in 1994. Played in the 2004 (winner) and 2008 Ryder Cup.
Poulter is the second European player to score four points after being selected as a wild card (following Lee Westwood in 2006).
Poulter is the only European player to play in all five series of matches in 2008.
European Tour International Victories: 9
US PGA Tour Victories: 1
Tournament Victories: 2
Lee Westwood
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Lee John Westwood of England turned pro in 1993. Played in the 1997 (winner), 1999 (winner), 2002 (winner), 2004 (winner), 2006 (winner) and 2008 Ryder Cups.
Along with Arnold Palmer, Westwood holds the record for most consecutive Ryder Cup matches unbeaten.
Played in 27 consecutive series of games since making his debut in 1997. First session he missed was the morning foursomes on day two in 2008.
European Tour International Victories: 20
US PGA Tour Victories: 2
Tournament Victories: 10
European Team Outlook
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Colin Montgomerie should be all smiles with the talent he has collected for the European Ryder Cup team.
With Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all giving Montgomerie support and advice behind the scenes, this year's European team is stacked with talent and ready to make this Ryder Cup a special experience for all of us watching here and abroad...
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