The European team brings a record 3-time consecutive win streak to Valhalla. Captain Nick Faldo, arguably the best European golfer of our time, brings a group of eight Ryder Cup veterans, along with four newcomers to the tournament. All eyes will be on Padraig Harrington as he comes into the tournament on fire, winning three of the last six major championships. Also look for Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia to make some noise, as they have been on a combined 9 prior Ryder Cup teams.
Nick Faldo- Captain
Paul Casey: A two-time Ryder Cup veteran, this 31 year old from England has a 3-1-2 all time career record during the Cup. Casey was a Captain’s pick selection for the European team.
Sergio Garcia: This 28 year-old from Spain has one of the best Ryder Cup stats, as he has picked up 15 points out of 20 possible points in his four prior Ryder Cup tournaments.
Soren Hansen: From Denmark, this 34 year-old joins the team automatically as a top-finisher in the points list. This is Hansen’s first Ryder Cup, and is only the second Dane ever to compete in the tournament.
Padraig Harrington: Harrington’s 2008 trip to Valhalla will mark his fifth time on the Ryder Cup team with a record of 7-8-2. This Irishman is arguably Europe’s top golfer going into the tournament.
Miguel Angel Jimenez: The oldest member of the European team, this 44 year-old will be playing in his 3rd Ryder Cup, posting a career record of 2-5-2.
Robert Karlsson: Karlsson returns to the European Ryder Cup team for a second go around at Valhalla this year. This Swede’s Ryder Cup record from 2006 is 0-1-2.
Graeme McDowell: This 29 year-old is another Ryder Cup rookie for the European team. He attended UAB here in the United States, but is originally from Northern Ireland.
Ian Poulter: Another Captain’s Pick, Ian Poulter of England, comes into Valhalla having been on one other Ryder Cup team, with a career Cup total of 1-1-0.
Justin Rose: A member of both the European and PGA tours, Rose makes his Ryder Cup debut this year at Valhalla. This Englishman just turned 28 in late July.
Henrik Stenson: Returning for his second Ryder Cup trip, this 32 year-old Swede posted a 1-1-1 record in his last Cup in 2006.
Lee Westwood: The most experienced Ryder Cup veteran on the European team, Westwood returns for his sixth consecutive Cup. Originally from England, he has a career Ryder Cup record of 14-8-3.
Oliver Wilson: A point-qualifying member, Wilson is one of the four rookies the Europeans bring to Valhalla. This Englishman turns 28 just two days before the Ryder Cup begins on September 16th.
Look for the European team to pull out all of the stops in keeping their consecutive win streak alive against the Americans. However, the two largest margins of victories by the US has come on its own home turf, so the home field advantage (with the help of the city of Louisville and US golf fanatics) could prove to be the winning factor!
