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Associated Press 10y

European capsules for the Ryder Cup

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

RORY MCILROY

Age: 25.

Country: Northern Ireland.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 4-3-2.

World ranking: 1.

Majors: U.S. Open (2011), British Open (2014), PGA Championship (2012, 2014).

Career worldwide wins: 14.

2013-14 wins: Australian Open, BMW PGA Championship, British Open, Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship.

Ryder Cup memory: Not realizing he was in the central time zone and needing a police escort to get to Medinah with minutes to spare before his singles match. He won.

Backspin: He was said to be a target in 2012 when he reached No. 1, and he's an even bigger target now. His power and high launch would seem to work in his favor at Gleneagles. Still to be determined is his partner for team matches. He has played with Graeme McDowell in six of seven team matches -- Ian Poulter was his other partner.

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HENRIK STENSON

Age: 38.

Country: Sweden.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 2-3-2.

World ranking: 4.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 14.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Defeating Vaughn Taylor in singles at Ireland to give Europe the points it needed for outright victory in 2006.

Backspin: He hasn't won since Dubai last year to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same season, though his form is coming around at just the right time. He was among the four with a chance to win the PGA Championship. And by not qualifying for the Tour Championship, he gave himself an extra week off to rest and be prepared for the Ryder Cup.

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VICTOR DUBUISSON

Age: 24.

Country: France.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 23.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 1.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Going 2-0 as a 16-year-old in the Junior Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2006.

Backspin: With no Ryder Cup experience, expect to see plenty of match play highlights from the Arizona desert when the Frenchman improbably kept alive his championship match with two ridiculous par saves from the cactus. His one victory was against a loaded field in Turkey last year. He is long and putts well. And based on his limited match experience, he is not one to give in easily.

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JAMIE DONALDSON

Age: 38.

Country: Wales.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 28.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 3.

2013-14 wins: Czech Masters.

Ryder Cup memory: Winning the Czech Masters a week before qualifying ended to secure his spot on his first Ryder Cup team.

Backspin: The first Welshman to play in the Ryder Cup since Phillip Price in 2002 at The Belfry, and that worked out well for Europe. Price won a pivotal match again Phil Mickelson. Donaldson has only three wins in his career, though one of them was in Abu Dhabi last year, and his performance was clutch at the Czech Open.

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SERGIO GARCIA

Age: 34.

Country: Spain.

Ryder Cup appearances: 6.

Ryder Cup record: 16-8-4.

World ranking: 3.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 23.

2013-14 wins: Qatar Masters.

Ryder Cup memory: Rallying to beat Jim Furyk at Medinah, which swung momentum in Europe's favor during its comeback in 2012.

Backspin: He has been a key part of European success since his debut at age 19 in 1999. Two favorite partners have been Luke Donald (5-1-0) and Lee Westwood (4-1-2), so it would not be surprising to see him play with Westwood at Gleneagles. Hasn't closed particularly well when he's had chances of late, though match play brings out a different player in the Spaniard.

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JUSTIN ROSE

Age: 34.

Country: England.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 6-3-0.

World ranking: 6.

Majors: U.S. Open (2013).

Career worldwide wins: 12.

2013-14 wins: Quicken Loans National.

Ryder Cup memory: Holing a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole against Phil Mickelson that led to a key singles victory during the comeback at Medinah.

Backspin: One of the most reliable swings on the European team. It's surprising he has played only two Ryder Cups, but they were memorable. He has twice beaten Phil Mickelson in singles. He has partnered with Ian Poulter and has gone 4-1 with him. Oddly enough, this will be his first home game for a Ryder Cup.

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MARTIN KAYMER

Age: 29.

Country: Germany.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 3-2-1.

World ranking: 12.

Majors: U.S. Open (2014), PGA Championship (2010).

Career worldwide wins: 13.

2013-14 wins: The Players Championship, U.S. Open.

Ryder Cup memory: Making a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole at Medinah to beat Steve Stricker and clinch victory for Europe.

Backspin: Kaymer has looked like the "Germanator" in his two wins this year and has since cooled off. Key to those wins was rebuilding a game that provided a more rounded game, and he has returned to the elite in golf. He was in poor form last time and only played two matches at Medinah, though he delivered under severe pressure to win his singles match. Look for him to play more often at Gleneagles.

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THOMAS BJORN

Age: 43.

Country: Denmark.

Ryder Cup appearances: 2.

Ryder Cup record: 3-2-1.

World ranking: 30.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 16.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Teaming with Darren Clarke in fourballs to make nine birdies in a 1-up victory over Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger in the opening match of 2002.

Backspin: This will be his first Ryder Cup since 2002 at The Belfry. Not since Christy O'Connor Jr. (14 years) has a European gone this long between playing in the Ryder Cup, though the veteran Dane has been heavily involved. He has been vice captain three times, including the last two.

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GRAEME MCDOWELL

Age: 35.

Country: Northern Ireland.

Ryder Cup appearances: 3.

Ryder Cup record: 5-5-2.

World ranking: 18.

Majors: U.S. Open (2010).

Career worldwide wins: 11.

2013-14 wins: French Open.

Ryder Cup memory: Making a 15-foot birdie putt at Celtic Manor and winning the decisive match for Europe in 2010.

Backspin: Narrowly held down the last qualifying spot to avoid being a captain's pick. The star from Celtic Manor, and much like Dubuisson, showed remarkable resiliency at the Match Play Championship by coming from the brink of defeat to win three straight matches. He has been steady all summer, and with his knack of making putts, is always a threat in match play. Didn't play well in the last Ryder Cup, but goes into this one much more rested.

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STEPHEN GALLACHER

Age: 39.

Country: Scotland.

Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie.

Ryder Cup record: 0-0-0.

World ranking: 34.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 3.

2013-14 wins: Dubai Desert Classic.

Ryder Cup memory: Getting a phone call from Paul McGinley that he was a captain's pick.

Backspin: This is the third straight year that Europe has taken a Ryder Cup rookie as a captain's pick, though the Scot was an overwhelming favorite. He shot 65 the last day of the Italian Open, and would have made the team if David Howell had not shot 63 to finish second. Not that Europe needed any more home support, but Gallacher is the lone Scot on the team for a Ryder Cup in Scotland.

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IAN POULTER

Age: 38.

Country: England.

Ryder Cup appearances: 4.

Ryder Cup record: 12-3-0.

World ranking: 37.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 14.

2013-14 wins: None.

Ryder Cup memory: Making five straight birdies at the end of the last fourballs match Saturday at Medinah for a 1-up victory that sparked Europe to a comeback win.

Backspin: He has emerged as Europe's best player in the Ryder Cup with a 7-1 record in the last two events and going 4-0 at Medinah. He has never lost in singles. But this could be an interesting year for Poulter. He has not won in two years. And despite his unbridled passion for the Ryder Cup, he has never gone into the matches with such great expectations.

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LEE WESTWOOD

Age: 41.

Country: England.

Ryder Cup appearances: 8.

Ryder Cup record: 18-13-6.

World ranking: 41.

Majors: None.

Career worldwide wins: 37.

2013-14 wins: Malaysian Open.

Ryder Cup memory: Rallying to beat Kenny Perry in singles in 2004 at Oakland Hills in a match that assured Europe would keep the Ryder Cup.

Backspin: The veteran of this European team having played in every Ryder Cup since 1997. He had one partner in each of his first three Ryder Cups, and now has played with everyone from Francesco Molinari to Martin Kaymer. He won once in Malaysia this year, but otherwise his form has been lacking from when he was No. 1 in the world.

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