Profile of Europe Ryder Cup team

A brief look at the 12-man Europe Ryder Cup team that will face the U.S. in the biennial competition this week at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.

LUDVIG ABERG (Sweden)

Age: 23

World ranking: 80

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: None

Only turned professional in June and won the European Masters this month to virtually assure himself a pick from captain Luke Donald, who describes him as a "generational player". The first player to play in the Ryder Cup having never contested a major.

MATT FITZPATRICK (England)

Age: 29

World ranking: 8

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: 2, 0

The 2002 U.S. Open champion has a lamentable Ryder Cup record having lost all five matches he contested in two appearances, both in the U.S. If his putter is hot he should finally deliver.

TOMMY FLEETWOOD (England)

Age: 32

World ranking: 13

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: 2, 5

Hugely popular with European fans, Fleetwood needed a captain's pick and Donald will hope he can produce the kind of inspirational play that saw him take four points with Francesco Molinari as Europe prevailed in Paris in 2018.

TYRRELL HATTON (England)

Age: 31

World ranking: 11

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: 2, 2-1/2

Seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year ensured Hatton qualified for his third appearance on merit. His feisty nature has mellowed a little but he will be fired up in Rome.

NICOLAI HOJGAARD (Denmark)

Age: 22

World ranking: 82

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: None

Back-to-back top five finishes in the final two events of European Ryder Cup qualification earned him a surprise pick. Won the Italian Open on the Marco Simone course in 2021.

VIKTOR HOVLAND (Norway)

Age: 26

World ranking: 4

Previous Ryder Cup appearances/points: 1, 1

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