The Ryder Cup is back, and it’s on American soil in 2016.
The bi-annual battle between the United States and Europe has come to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. Here are the rosters for both teams, along with strengths and weaknesses for each squad, before the tournament, which starts Friday.
United States
Davis Love III (captain)
Rickie Fowler
J.B. Holmes
Dustin Johnson
Zach Johnson
Brooks Koepka
Matt Kuchar
Phil Mickelson
Ryan Moore
Patrick Reed
Brandt Snedeker
Jordan Spieth
Jimmy Walker
The Americans have some heavy hitters off the tee, which should set them up for manageable approach shots. Holmes and Johnson rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in most yards per drive on the PGA Tour in 2016.
Don’t expect the Americans to waste many strokes putting, either. Spieth, Johnson and Mickelson all rank inside the top 10 on the PGA Tour in average putts. Spieth and Johnson are first and second, respectively. No one from Team Europe is in the top 10.
The U.S. team also has won more major championships overall, but two players from each team (Johnson and Walker on the U.S.; Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett for Europe) have one major championships in 2016.
Europe
Darren Clarke (captain)
Rafa Cabrera Bello, Spain
Matt Fitzpatrick, England
Sergio Garcia, Spain
Martin Kaymer, Germany
Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland
Thomas Pieters, Belgium
Justin Rose, England
Henrik Stenson, Sweden
Andy Sullivan, England
Lee Westwood, England
Danny Willett, England
Chris Wood, England
While the pure power off the tee might not be the strongest attribute of this European team, it certainly makes up for it in greens in regulation (GIR). Sergio Garcia (70.2 percent) and Rory McIlroy (69.6) are the only golfers on either team to rank inside the top 12 in GIR on the PGA Tour this season.
Europe also has history on its side. It has won three consecutive Ryder Cup tournaments and six of the last seven. Most of the pressure will be on the Americans as they attempt to break that streak, while also trying to win on home soil.
Thumbnail photo via Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports Images
