Ryder Cup 2012: USA team profiles

Tiger Woods 36 W13 H2 L14 Often criticised for not embracing the Ryder Cup format and has finished on the winning side only once in six attempts. Recent record of six wins in nine matches shows the former world No1's attitude towards the event may have softened. Bubba Watson 33 W1 L3 Will be making only his second Ryder Cup appearance at Medinah, where his big-hitting should prove beneficial. The colourful left-hander claimed this year's Masters in spectacular fashion, defeating Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff. Jason Dufner 35 Debut Was criticised as being a journeyman after finishing second in last year's US PGA Championship. Yet Dufner has won twice since and featured prominently elsewhere, highlighting him as a late developer. Keegan Bradley 26 Debut Became the first player to win a major when using a long putter, at last year's US PGA. Won the WGC event at Bridgestone last month and is rightly regarded as world golf's brightest young stars. Webb Simpson 27 Debut The current US Open champion. Also came a very close second to Luke Donald in the PGA Tour's money list of 2011. Zach Johnson 36 W3 H1 L3 Disappeared from view slightly after winning the Masters five years ago but has bounced back to form recently. Two wins and two runner-up finishes already this season. Matt Kuchar 34 W1 H2 L1 If there is a criticism to be made of the Georgia Tech graduate, it is that he fails to convert a number of winning opportunities. This year, though, Kuchar has claimed the Players Championship and was just a shot away from a Masters playoff. Phil Mickelson 42 W11 H6 L17 Will be making his ninth Ryder Cup appearance, making him the most experienced member of the American team. Has struggled with arthritis but retains a magical short game and won earlier this year at Pebble Beach. Wildcards Steve Stricker 45 W3 H1 L3 A close friend of Davis Love III, who surprisingly has only featured in two Ryder Cups to date. A superb putter, who successfully partnered Tiger Woods both at the 2010 Ryder Cup and in Presidents Cup matches. Jim Furyk 42 W7 H4 L15 Retains key Ryder Cup experience, having played seven times before, albeit not always successfully. Hasn't won since 2010 and blew a glorious chance to break that run at the US Open, where he endured a catastrophic finish. Dustin Johnson 28 W1 L3 One of the most laid back players in golf is unlikely to be fazed by the Ryder Cup surroundings. Would surely have claimed an automatic place in the team but for an injury which caused him to miss three months of the season. Famed for distance. Brandt Snedeker 31 Debut Shot to wider prominence with a fine performance at the Open, which he began with rounds of 64 and 66. Known for superb putting touch and an impressive attitude, was also runner-up at the Barclays event.