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Associated Press 10y

US capsules for the Ryder Cup

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A capsule look at the U.S. team in the 40th Ryder Cup, to be played Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles, Scotland. Players listed in the order they made the team:

BUBBA WATSON

Age: 35.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 3-5-0.

World ranking: 7.

Majors: Masters (2012, 2014).

Career worldwide wins: 6.

2013-14 wins: Northern Trust Open, Masters.

Ryder Cup memory: Encouraging the crowd at Medinah to keep up the noise while he hit his opening tee shot.

Backspin: He figures to be the biggest target at Gleneagles, not among European players but the European fans. Has developed a reputation for complaining, such as saying rain gets the face of his driver too wet to control the ball. Has lost both singles matches. But he loves the Ryder Cup and his creativity makes him fun to watch.

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RICKIE FOWLER

Age: 25.

Ryder Cup appearances: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 0-1-2.

World ranking: 10.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 2.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Closing with four straight birdies and winning the last three holes to earn a half point against Edoardo Molinari in Wales that momentarily kept alive the American hopes of winning.

Backspin: For a guy with only two career wins, he might be the most dependable player on the U.S. team. First player to ever finish in the top five of all the majors without winning one. A fan favorite and player favorite, but his experience is limited. He was picked for the 2010 Ryder Cup. He has yet to play on a Presidents Cup team.

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JIM FURYK

Age: 44.

Ryder Cup appearances: 8.

Ryder Cup record: 9-17-4.

World ranking: 5.

Majors: U.S. Open (2003).

Career worldwide wins: 18.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Taking down Sergio Garcia in a crucial match during the U.S. comeback at Brookline in 1999. Losing to Garcia in a crucial matching during the European comeback at Medinah in 2012.

Backspin: Furyk has played on every Ryder Cup team since 1997, but he has won only one match in the last two events. He now has gone four years without a victory. Figures to be one of the team leaders at Gleneagles. He didn't play a fourballs match at Medinah, and for good reason. His overall record in that format is 1-8-1.

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JIMMY WALKER

Age: 35.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 19.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 3.

2013-14 wins: Frys.com Open, Sony Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Ryder Cup memory: Effectively clinching a spot on the team in February.

Backspin: The perception is that Walker hasn't played well since winning three times in eight events to start the season. But he had three top 10s in the majors and has missed only three cuts since his last win. He doesn't have an intimidating game, though he has no real weakness. He is long off the tee. Among the rookies, it might be the hardest to anticipate how Walker fares.

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PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 44.

Ryder Cup appearances: 9.

Ryder Cup record: 14-18-6

World ranking: 11.

Majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), British Open (2013), PGA Championship (2005).

Career worldwide wins: 45.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Going 3-0 as a rookie in 1995 at Oak Hill.

Backspin: In one of the most overlooked achievements of his career, Mickelson holds the U.S. record of qualifying for 10 consecutive teams. And in the Ryder Cup, he's as unpredictable as ever. Mickelson holds the U.S. record for most losses (14) and most losses in singles (5), a product of having played so long on a losing team. He went 3-0 with Keegan Bradley at Medinah. Neither of them has won a tournament this year.

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MATT KUCHAR

Age: 36.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 3-2-2.

World ranking: 9.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 7.

2013-14 wins: RBC Heritage.

Ryder Cup memory: Teaming with Stewart Cink to go 1-0-1 against Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell at Celtic Manor.

Backspin: Always steady and reliable, Kuchar's greatest asset might be the ability to be paired with just about anyone. He played one Ryder Cup with Cink, another with Dustin Johnson. He also is one of three Americans with a winning record. But he is 0-2 in singles, losing badly to Ian Poulter in Wales and Lee Westwood at Medinah. The wife of his caddie, Lance Bennett, died of a seizure in August. He is likely to return to work at Gleneagles.

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JORDAN SPIETH

Age: 21.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 13.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 1.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Winning all three of his matches at Gleneagles -- in the 2010 Junior Ryder Cup.

Backspin: As good as the kid is, he might be one of Tom Watson's concerns going into the Ryder Cup. Spieth shared the 54-hole lead at the Masters and The Players Championship this year. Since then, he has only two top 10s in his last 13 starts. He did well at the Presidents Cup, but that was the Presidents Cup. And it was a home game.

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PATRICK REED

Age: 24.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 27.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 3.

2013-14 wins: Humana Challenge, Cadillac Championship.

Ryder Cup memory: His only cup experience is the Canon Cup in the American Junior Golf Association.

Backspin: He didn't win any friends when he declared himself one of the top five players in the world after winning at Doral, a comment he can't shake. Nor does he care. Reed proudly carries a chip on his shoulder. He is gifted enough to win three times at age 24. He is plenty long and has a good short game. One question is whether his wife will return to work as his caddie, and who he will partner with comfortably.

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ZACH JOHNSON

Age: 38.

Ryder Cup appearances: 3.

Ryder Cup record: 6-4-1.

World ranking: 16.

Majors: Masters (2007).

Career worldwide wins: 11.

2013-14 wins: Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Ryder Cup memory: Making seven birdies in fourballs for the lone U.S. victory in that session on the second day at The K Club in 2006, his Ryder Cup debut.

Backspin: The only concern with Johnson is his lack of distance, which might hurt him at Gleneagles. But it's hard to argue with his record, especially since he has yet to play on a winning Ryder Cup team. One oddity: He has played only Irishmen in singles (Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell).

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KEEGAN BRADLEY

Age: 28.

Ryder Cup appearances: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 3-1-0.

World ranking: 26.

Majors: PGA Championship (2011).

Career worldwide wins: 3.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Running to the edge of the green to rev up the crowd after each hole that he and Phil Mickelson won at Medinah in going 3-0 as partners.

Backspin: Bradley was the one captain's pick that surprised no one. He made a sensational debut with Mickelson at Medinah. He played a practice round with Capt. Watson at Gleneagles this summer. He is super long off the tee. But while he is expected to be partners with Mickelson at least once, both were playing well two years ago. Bradley has gone two years without a win.

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HUNTER MAHAN

Age: 32.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 3-2-3.

World ranking: 21.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 6.

2013-14 wins: The Barclays.

Ryder Cup memory: Flubbing a chip that he mostly likely would have had to hole to extend the decisive match at Celtic Manor that McDowell won.

Backspin: Even though he just missed qualifying, Mahan was left off the 2012 because his form had been sliding. He would love to redeem himself from being on the losing end of the decisive match in 2010. Overlooked is the 75-foot putt he made at Valhalla that was key to the Americans winning. His victory at The Barclays got him on the team. His performance since then raises questions.

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WEBB SIMPSON

Age: 29.

Ryder Cup appearances: 1.

Ryder Cup record: 2-2-0.

World ranking: 33.

Majors: U.S. Open (2012).

Career worldwide wins: 4.

2013-14 wins: Shriners Hospital for Childrens Open.

Ryder Cup memory: A shank on the par-3 eighth hole at Medinah in a singles loss to Ian Poulter.

Backspin: Never mind the shank. Simpson does that every now and again. Simpson was the most suspect captain's pick, chosen over Chris Kirk, though he has had a winning record on every U.S. team he has played (including the Presidents Cup). Capt. Watson kept mentioning how Simpson had a pair of 5-and-4 wins at Medinah. Both were with Bubba Watson as his partner. And he gave up a late lead in a crucial singles loss to Poulter.

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