Tiger Woods needed a captain's pick to make the U.S. squad.

BY MIKE CORMACK
sportsnet.ca

A look at the United States team for the 38th Ryder Cup matches. Players listed in the order they made the team on points:

PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 40.

World ranking: 2.

Ryder Cup teams: 7.

Ryder Cup record: 10-14-6.

Career victories: 40.

2010 victories: The Masters

Majors: Masters (3), PGA Championship (1).

2010 majors: Masters-Won, US Open-T4, British Open-T48, PGA-T12.

Notworthy: Hasn’t played well since his Masters victory in April. Revealed earlier this summer he is suffering from a form of arthritis. Has played well at times in the Ryder Cup, looked awful at others. Expected to be paired with Dustin Johnson in fourballs.

HUNTER MAHAN

Age: 28.

World ranking: 15.

Ryder Cup teams: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 2-0-3.

Career victories: 3.

2010 victories: Phoenix Open, Bridgestone Invitational.

2010 majors: Masters-T8, US Open-Cut, British Open-T37, PGA-T39.

Noteworthy: Was a star in his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, and was the only American to play in all five matches. Streaky player, capable of playing in either format.

BUBBA WATSON

Age: 31.

World ranking: 24.

Ryder Cup teams: Rookie.

Career victories: 1.

2010 victories: Travelers Championship.

2010 majors: Masters-DNP, US Open-DNP, British Open-Cut, PGA-2.

Noteworthy: After losing the PGA Championship earlier this summer in a playoff to Martin Kaymer, revealed that he cared more about making the Ryder Cup team than winning the major. One of the longest players in the world off the tee.

JIM FURYK

Age: 40.

World ranking: 5.

Ryder Cup teams: 6.

Ryder Cup record: 8-13-3.

Career victories: 15.

Majors: U.S. Open (1).

2010 victories: Transitions Championship, Heritage, Tour Championship

2010 majors: Masters-Cut, US Open-T16, British Open-Cut, PGA-T24.

Noteworthy: Has a surprisingly poor Ryder Cup record, but enters the week on a high coming off his Tour Championship victory and will be relied upon heavily by Pavin given Woods’ and Mickelson’s struggles. Has beaten Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jiminez in singles matches.

STEVE STRICKER

Age: 43.

World ranking: 4.

Ryder Cup teams: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 0-2-1.

Career victories: 9.

2010 victories: Northern Trust Open, John Deere Classic.

2010 majors: Masters-T30, US Open-T58, British Open-T55, PGA-T18.

Noteworthy: Went 4-0 paired with Tiger Woods at the Presidents Cup last fall, and is likely to team with him again on Friday morning. One of the best putters in the world, he is well suited to match play.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

Age: 26.

World ranking: 12.

Ryder Cup teams: Rookie.

Career victories: 4.

2010 victories: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, BMW Championship.

2010 majors: Masters-T38, US Open-T8, British Open-T14, PGA-T5.

Noteworthy: 2010’s breakout star bounced back from crushing losses at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship earlier this summer to win the BMW Championship two weeks ago. Fearless, aggressive player could see action in all five matches.

JEFF OVERTON

Age: 27.

World ranking: 49.

Ryder Cup teams: Rookie.

Career victories: None.

Majors: None.

2010 majors: Masters-DNP, US Open-DNP, British Open-T11, PGA-71.

Noteworthy: One of two players on Pavin’s team without a PGA Tour win. Was one of the more consistent players on Tour earlier this year, but has missed the cut in one event and failed to crack the top 50 in three others since. Lost control of his emotions at down the stretch at the Greenbrier in July. Contender for weak link of U.S. squad.

MATT KUCHAR

Age: 32.

World ranking: 10.

Ryder Cup teams: Rookie.

Career victories: 3.

Majors: None.

2010 victories: The Barclays.

2010 majors: Masters-T24, US Open-T6, British Open-T27, PGA-T10.

Noteworthy: Arguably the most consistent player in America this year with 11 top-10s. Playing the best golf of his life right now, but before his win at The Barclays early last month there were whispers he couldn’t close. As well as he’s playing it’ll be hard for Pavin to sit him.

STEWART CINK (Captain’s Pick)

Age: 37.

World ranking: 35.

Ryder Cup teams: 4.

Ryder Cup record: 4-7-4.

Career victories: 6.

Majors: British Open (1).

2010 victories: None.

2010 majors: Masters-Cut, US Open-T40, British Open-T48, PGA-T18.

Noteworthy: A captain's pick for the third time, he hasn’t played up to his potential since winning the 2009 Open Championship. In 2006 he thumped Sergio Garcia in Ireland in singles to deny him the first 5-0 record in Cup history.

TIGER WOODS (Captain’s Pick)

Age: 34.

World ranking: 1.

Ryder Cup teams: 5.

Ryder Cup record: 10-13-2.

Career victories: 82.

Majors: Masters (4), U.S. Open (3), British Open (3), PGA Championship (4).

2010 victories: None.

2010 majors: Masters-T4, U.S. Open-T4, British Open-T28, PGA-T23.

Noteworthy: A year ago who would have guessed Woods would be arriving this week without a victory in 2010 and as a captain’s pick? Though it’s not a major championship, playing a leading role on a winning side this week would do wonders for his reputation with his U.S. peers and the media.

ZACH JOHNSON (Captain’s Pick)

Age: 34.

World ranking: 18.

Ryder Cup teams: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 1-2-1.

Career victories: 7.

Majors: Masters (1).

2010 victories: Colonial.

2010 majors: Masters-42, US Open-T77, British Open-T76, PGA-T3.

Noteworthy: Brings grit, accuracy and solid wedge and putting play to the U.S. side. Former Masters champion showed no fear in his Ryder Cup debut four years ago in Ireland, making seven birdies in 17 holes of fourball.

RICKIE FOWLER (Captain’s Pick)

Age: 21.

World ranking: 32.

Ryder Cup teams: Rookie.

Career victories: None.

Majors: None.

2010 victories: None.

2010 majors: Masters-DNP, US Open-DNP, British Open-T14, PGA-T58.

Noteworthy: Since turning pro last fall, the flashy American has been a runner-up twice, but is still looking for his first PGA Tour win an hasn’t finished in the Top 10 since the Memorial in June. Pavin admitted he selected Fowler on a “feeling.”

Stats from THE ASSOCIATED PRESS