Ryder Cup 2016: Guide to the American team desperate to end their losing run

The Ryder Cup, one of the truly great events in world sport, takes place at Hazeltine this week. Yahoo Sport’s Nick Metcalfe profiles the American team that will take on Europe in Minnesota, looking to win the contest for the first time since 2008.

Davis Love (captain)
Age: 51
Ryder Cup appearances: 5 as player, 1 as captain

A safe pair of hands, particularly after the slightly erratic performance Tom Watson served up at Gleneagles two years ago. European fans will always delight in the Miracle of Medinah in 2012, but in truth the last day was a freak and nobody really knows how Love’s American team failed to seal the deal. The American will be desperate to put that immense disappointment right on home soil come Sunday night.

Phil Mickelson
Age: 46
Ryder Cup appearances: 10

One of the most compelling characters in golf. The five-time major winner, who first played in the Ryder Cup in 1995, showed he was far from finished at the highest level when he pushed Henrik Stenson all the way in that unforgettable Open at Royal Troon earlier this year. Mickelson can be controversial however - it’s hard to forget his visceral attack on American captain Tom Watson following the Gleneagles defeat two years ago.

Jordan Spieth
Age: 23
Ryder Cup appearances: 1

Like European star Rory McIlroy, doubters have voiced worry over Spieth’s form, but this young American does still seem to be the real deal. He may not have added to his two majors of 2015 this year, but he’s still performed at a consistently decent level. Spieth was superb at the 2014 Ryder Cup and is sure to be a key figure for the hosts. In fact, the sheer stature of the man from Dallas may well give him a significant advantage from the off.

Dustin Johnson
Age: 32
Ryder Cup appearances: 2

His quite outrageous talents thrill golf lovers everywhere, and Johnson finally claimed one of the game’s great prizes with US Open victory in June. He has only played in the Ryder Cup contests of 2010 and 2012, which is something of a surprise. If he fires on all cylinders this week, at a long course that may well suit his driving abilities, it will be difficult for any European to stop him.

Patrick Reed
Age: 26
Ryder Cup appearances: 1

One of the stars of the losing American team at Gleneagles in 2014, his show stealing shushing of the crowd on the final day showed how much courage and bravado the young man has. His win over Henrik Stenson that day showed that he also has the qualities to go with that belief. Reed picked up a fine tournament win at the Barclays last month and could well be one of the best performers at Hazeltine.

Jimmy Walker
Age: 37
Ryder Cup appearances: 1

Walker really announced himself to the world with a brilliant US PGA Championship victory last month. He played all four team matches with Rickie Fowler at Gleneagles two years ago - three halves and a defeat the net result - before a fabulous win over Lee Westwood in the singles. He is well capable of being a key man for the hosts over the coming days.

Brooks Koepka
Age: 26
Ryder Cup appearances: 0

American golfing pundits have been talking about this man for years, and it’s not a great surprise to see him making the Ryder Cup team for the first time. Koepka had a decent year in the three majors he played, included a tied fourth finish at the US PGA. He isn’t one of those characters likely to be intimated by playing in such a big event.

Brandt Snedeker
Age: 35
Ryder Cup appearances: 1

One of those Americans that will be desperate to put right the wrongs of Medinah in 2012, especially as it was Snedeker’s only Ryder Cup appearance before this week. A solid 2016 has included a tournament win at the Farmers Insurance Open in February. He has tasted American victory in a team event before, at the 2013 Presidents Cup.

Zach Johnson
Age: 40
Ryder Cup appearances: 4

In many ways this unassuming character has had an extraordinary career. Johnson has won two majors, at probably the two most famous courses in the world, Augusta in 2007 and St Andrews last year. He definitely hasn’t shone in 2016 however, and if Johnson doesn’t play well at Hazeltine from the off Love may well think about shielding him until the singles on the final day.

(Four captain’s picks)

JB Holmes
Age: 34
Ryder Cup appearances: 1

One of the few Americans with experience of victory in this famous old event, having played in the 2008 contest. Holmes had a peculiar year in the majors, finishing in a tie for fourth at the Masters and third at The Open, but also missing the cut at both the US Open and PGA. He does have recent team experience, being on the American team at last year’s Presidents Cup.

Rickie Fowler
Age: 27
Ryder Cup appearances: 2

No victories from his two previous Ryder Cup experiences, and he’s had an ordinary 2016 too, but Fowler is just too good a player for captain Love to resist. A true patriot, as we saw when he turned out for America at the recent Rio Olympics, and the kind of character that will be inspired rather than overawed by a passionate home crowd in Minnesota.

Matt Kuchar
Age: 38
Ryder Cup appearances: 3

A fourth successive Ryder Cup for Kuchar, the kind of experience that could be invaluable for the hosts. He has had a very consistent year, which was summed up at the recent Olympics, where Kuchar picked up a bronze medal. His last match at this event saw him claim a fine win over Thomas Bjorn in the singles at Gleneagles.

Ryan Moore
Age: 33
Ryder Cup Appearances: 0

The second rookie turning out for the hosts this week, Moore was only named by captain Love as the 12th and final member of his team on Sunday night. He’s been selected on form, having won the John Deere Classic last month and coming within a whisker of winning the Tour Championship last weekend.