Two great teams should make for a very interesting, close, and exciting match. I think it's obvious that the World team has a big edge in the RTS department with probably the three strongest players right now, though Neil Segotta has certainly made a claim to being among the Elite few. Add Robert Bjornsson to a core of Gutierres, Dronov and Gale and you have a formidable set of players that are expected to be big points earners for the Blues. However, the Americans would think they have the edge in the Clicking department, with only Paul Smith as a dominant player for the World team, the Americans are very strong and deep with Crook, Belida, Miettinen, Riddle and Klodzen all among the upper tier of clickers this year. So it boils down to Powerstroke and you have to say it's pretty even, perhaps the World team has a touch more depth but there's not a lot in it. Wegner, Ritter, Valmaseda are all top notch, but so are Hansen and Nicholls. Butler and Casker provide strong support, as do Lenton, Sullivan and Meader. And bringing up the rear to speak, Harris, Walker and Moore won't let anyone down. Probably that's the area where it might be won or lost, though the Click matches could be close too, so the Americans need to take every point they can there and avoid having to rely too much on RTS where they are a little underweight. Anyway, should be a cracking match and there's ALWAYS some surprises along the way. There'll be heroes, there'll be villains, but hopefully, as usual, there'll still be a big group of friends from every corner of the globe! Game on gentleman, hold your nerves, have as much fun as you can, and best of luck to everyone, may the best team win!

Sure to be one of the key members of the World team, Smith has shown himself over the last few years to be particularly adept to the online form of the game where he's enjoyed successes in the World Matchplay, online Majors, and sudden death playoffs. Consistently scoring in the low 60's, rarely seems to have a bad round and is just as comfortable in tough conditions as on the perfect golf days. Has a great track record in the Ryder Cup and will have to be the figurehead of the World clickers, as the American squad looks very strong. Pairing with David Russell is a longtime success.

A player who really 'gets' it, having been involved in the Tour for most of its 8 year existence, David truly relishses the end of season Cup competition, and has played a big part in it. Definitely a player who can raise his game for the big games, perhaps explaining his inconsistency in the routine events. His most obvious asset is the dogged determination that sees him plug away to the bitter end, even when not playing well, keeping the score close and then pulling something out of the hat just at the critical moment. Will definitely be looking to take a big scalp and paired with Smith will make a formidable teammate. An excellent leader, Russell will leave no stone unturned in his quest for victory.

One of the years most improved players as Ristl has locked down a place in the top ten of most of the events he's played. Consistent play from tee to green and a solid putting stroke mean that he's rarely out of a hole and his calm stoic exterior helps him avoid getting too caught up in the highs and lows that are natural to such a tense and long drawn out event as the Ryder Cup. Will truly feel a key member of the team this year, and is likely to reward his captain with some great performances.

The only player to have taken part in every Ryder Cup since the first one, though these days it's more by default due to numbers than any brilliance on the fairways. Has struggled this year since the MOD came into force, as it's taken away his almost automatic up and downs from around the greens which kept him under par despite woeful stats in driving and approach play. However, has tended to play much better online and in the Cup events, and still able to hole clutch putts in big situations. Will hope the intimidation factor induces nerves in his opponents, and will be looking to get early leads and hang on for dear life. Main aim this year - to avoid embarrassing himself or breaking his partners backs!

The most dominant player of 2005 has once again returned to elite level, after a swing change from RTS to PS. Hasn't fully recaptured his brilliant best, but still one of the best players on tour and a real asset to the world team. Mentally very tough because he is able to take each and every shot at a time and focus 100% only on that shot. Will be excited about putting his new swing style to the test in the fire of the Ryder Cup.

Taking over the mantle of Tour's best player from Gutierres (though Ken Nicholls runs him close), Gale dabbled in PS again this year, but at RTS remains without peer, and is running into the best form of the season with wins in the last 2 events as he's put his PS experiment to one side. Will not mind teammates leaning on him, and will fully expect to win every match he turns up to.

Can't say enough about this guy. Seemed to be a bit fairweather early in the season, and lacking interest, but has really knuckled down late in the season, and when it seemed a Ryder Cup place was on offer, really worked hard to get his game in shape and try to make the team. Once again, focussed hard on making the Cup team and two wins on the regular season schedule locked his place early.

We all know Andy from his great work over at Links Corner, where he does such sterling work with those guys. Has also been an ever present this season and has played very solidly throughout, and wasn't that far from making a run at an automatic place. Has played a lot of his golf online too, so again, that's definitely an advantage going into these matches, and anyone who's had to deal with such a large website will know, getting to play the game is a relief, it's fun, so nerves shouldn't be a factor here! Don't know a lot about Andy's game, but his scores tell me he won't be letting anyone down and I'm sure he'll also rally round his team mates

As the Canadians came back to the World team this year, Miettinen brings his own blend of solid, consistent play and flashes of brilliance to the Blue team. Enjoys the cut and thrust of Ryder Cup head to head and will be desperate to get into the action and prove himself a key member of his new team.

The pit bull himself. Every team must have one, and the Americans will be desperately sad to see him return to the World team, who are of course delighted. Focussed this season, and piled up some hugely impressive wins after missing out last year, including Major Championships at Augusta and St.Andrews. A Ryder Cup winners medal would, I'm sure, sit very nicely between those two on the mantelpiece.

Returning to the tour after an absence, then thrown back into the World team, Dickerson copes with any challenge put before him and his enthusiasm and sense of fun will add immeasurably to morale in the world team dressing room. Also a very skilled player, and will not be daunted by going up against opponents who are his superiors on paper.

Great to see Pythila's enthusiasm and commitment rewarded, as he turns out week in and week out, no matter what course, conditions, weather. Always finds the positive in every round and that will be tremendously beneficial in the Ryder Cup when tough times await every pairing and every player at some point. I'm sure Terry will enjoy the matches and be keen to return here next year!

Neil did a great job captaining the side last year, but it just wasn't meant to be. With the pressures of captaincy off this year, he's done a great job of getting himself safely qualified for the team and will hope to contribute more as a player this year, as the USA aim to regain the Cup they regard as their own. Could well be hitting the opening tee shot this year, and no one better to cope with the pressure!

Mel has been a bit up and down all year, as last year, but still capable of brilliant scoring, and well suited to the uniqe demands of matchplay. Like Segotta, now freed from the burden of organising players and schedules, so will enjoy the competition and golf a little more I suspect. Looking forward to meeting Mel and Neil in the first match!

Paul's had a steady season, never quite managing to put together four great rounds in a tournament, but showing flashes of brilliance along the way. But he's another in the mould of players who will try to keep things as close as possible and hope to avoid mistakes, and perhaps come up with a moment of inspiration in front of his fans. Definitely a player who'll be "into" the Cup atmosphere and will be very keen to make his mark in all his matches. I hope for my sake he doesn't find too much inspiration in his pairs game! Not always happy with his game, but delighted to make the team on merit and keen to produce his best golf when it really matters.

A real veteran of the Ryder Cup, Alan provides guts and determination in abundance. Enjoyed a torrid start to his Cup career, suffering a number of beatings, often including some very bad luck and it seemed he had something of a monkey on his back, but in recent years has fought back and started to turn his Cup record round, picking up some famous wins along the way in victorious American efforts. A calming influence, he'll be a popular partner in the pairs, and will be great alongside players who like to attack the pins because his steadying influence will be a perfect foil. Perfect choice for Captain, will rally his troops no matter what the score.

Quietly unassuming but nevertheless has enjoyed a really successful season and was delighted to pick up a couple of wins, including a major championship which put him in the top tier of players at last. Rarely makes mistakes, so will make an awesome partner in the pairs games, and will not be throwing holes away with bogeys very often. Sure to be hard at work around the K Club, making sure he's fully prepared for the challenge at hand, and knows that he is another key member of the team that captain Riddle really needs to come through with a big haul of points. Will be a brilliant foil to Riddle, the two are great friends and perfect golfing partners.

Those of us who know Bill know that he always plays with a smile on his face, always gives 100% and always manages to surprise you with how good he is when he's got you in a head to head situation. Amuses everyone with his out loud decisions on shot making, "The Human Calculator" will remember how well he played last year when one of the top points scorers. If he can rack up another haul like that in this year's event, he'll have played a huge part in perhaps tilting the balance of power back to the American team. Was awesome last year for his second successive star performance, and drafted in as a reserve for Bill Bunning, who is unavailable.

Doug's come on in leaps and bounds the last two years. He's always been a good player, and was noted in particular for the way he raised his game in head to head matchplay. This year, he's actually gotten better and in recent weeks has been in great form, regularly in the mid sixties. Had a fantastic Ryder cup last year and before, scalping the Tour director twice and will be eager to prove that it wasn't a fluke this time around. Won't leave any stone unturned in his preparation for the event, and will no doubt have his lovely wife Laura on hand to serve up the brews at the 19th hole! The downturn in the fortunes of the Red Sox is a worry, but shouldn't stop Doug from having a good un!

Gosh, the Powerstroke field looks very strong for both teams doesn't it? Hansen concluded a very successful season by winning the Tour Championship, and has perhaps been the most consistent player all year with the best scoring average. Will definitely be a man that the WOrld team will be worried about and be part of their strategies to beat. Few mistakes, and fantastic scoring power, good all round game, no real weaknesses, will relish the challenge of leading the American PS crew into battle for what will surely be the most interesting set of matches in this Cup. A little weary of some of the features of MOD play, Hansen may well step down from MOD play and would surely want to go out in style if that's the case.

I think Bill will be really pleased to be part of this event. Of course, coming from a rather famous sporting heritage, he's no stranger to drama and excitement in the sporting arena, and while this won't compare to throwing a major league no hitter, I'm sure Bill will revel in the atmosphere and drama and I know from his emails that he's really been thinking about trying to make this team all year, and it's to his credit he stuck to his guns and did just that. Another up and down player who again, will be liberated by the matchplay format and feel free to open up and attack the course. Unavailable this year with his current schedule.

I can't say enough about Larry. He was a great player before he switched to Powerstroke, and then he managed to get himself into a position of being a good PS player too. Then he had a break from the game and suffered an alarming crash in form, finding himself rooted to the bottom of the Pro field this year. Little by little he's battled away, finally seeing an improvement in his game, and edging into the Champ field. Before you knew it, he was back in the ELite field and scored a really impressive finish in Ireland, earning his place in the team. You could say he found his game just at the right time, and so he'll be a player in this Cup, not to be overlooked. Problems with his back did not stop Walker turning out in the last counting events, and matchplay, a true competitor with the right motivation and attidue. Great example to the team.

After his surprise inclusion last year, will be delighted with a Wild Card pick again this year, and will be determined to put in a great performance with the first time nerves now banished to last year. Always keen and enthusiastic, one of the Tours biggest supporters and a credit to any team he is a part of. Will be a lot of fun as partner or opponent, and may well surprise a few people!

One of the new young guns on tour, has made no bones about his desire to be on this team and contribute to a winning effort. Has played great golf this season without being able to get on the winners podium, still capable of scores that match the best and in matchplay that is a valuable asset as all it takes is one good day and if you have the talent already, you can beat anyone. Will first time nerves be a factor?

The other "newbie" on the team this year, Roberts joined the Tour with a bang, almost winning several events, missing out in playoffs, or the odd shot here or there. One of the best players in his short time with us and will be a very important player to the American chances of regaining the Cup. Age and experience should help with the nerves that he will surely feel!

Last Update: 28th October, 2006