An archetypal Yorkshireman, he has been through a bad patch (this man is the short straw as far as caddies are concerned), but is beginning to earn a few bob. Sank a few pints when he helped Europe to a historic win in Columbus, Ohio, in 1987.Per-Ulrik JohanssonAge: 28. Debutant.Like Clark, Johansson missed the cut in Stuttgart and still made it. Finished second in the PGA Championship at Wentworth and won enough money to make him a contender for the team. Ryder Cup caps: 6.Pl22, W7, L14, H1, Pts7.5.A rebel when younger, he is beginning to show signs of maturity.
James has resorted to the broomstick putter which, to my mind, shows a sign of weakness, but the results tell a different story. Has the nickname of Jesse, but now is not so much an outlaw as an Establishment figure. Played at Kiawah Island, got stuffed with Nick Faldo and was looking forward to the singles when Steve Pate withdrew from the US team because of injury and Gilford’s name appeared in the infamous envelope. Return to sender was Gilford’s sentiment at the time.Mark JamesAge: 41. Ryder Cup caps: 1.Pl3, W0, L2, H1,Pts 0.5.An enigma wrapped within a whisper. All we know is that he keeps a herd of Hereford cattle in Crewe If you’re hard of hearing, don’t talk to him Decibel level nil. For Seve, the sight of an American is like a red rag to a bull He can’t stand them Plagued this year by back trouble.David GilfordAge: 29.
In what could be his last match as a player Ballesteros, who is expected to take over the captaincy when the Cup goes to Valderrama in Spain in 1997, is bound to be fired up. Rocca will also be remembered for his duffed chip and sensational putt in the Open at St Andrews this year.Severiano BallesterosAge: 38. Ryder Cup caps: 7.Pl34, W19, L10, H5, Pts21.5.In harness with Jose-Maria Olazabal, proves an irresistible force in the foursomes and fourballs. Two holes up with three to play, he managed to lose to Davis Love III on the 18th.
Ryder Cup caps: 1.Pl2, W0, L2, Pts0.For some reason (the fact that he is Italian probably had something to do with it) poor old Rocca shouldered the blame for Europe’s 15-13 defeat at The Belfry two years ago. Back at The Belfry in 1993, Torrance’s contribution was negligible He withdrew from the singles with a bruised toe. A pioneer with the broomstick putter, he is playing the best golf of his life and captain Gallacher anticipates a dramatic improvement in the Scot’s Ryder Cup record.Costantino RoccaAge: 38. Ryder Cup caps: 7.Pl23, W4, L13, H6, Pts7.He sank the winning putt at The Belfry in 1985, but has not had much success since.
He blamed spike marks for the miss and the following week went out and won a tournament. Successfully partnered Ian Woosnam in the foursomes at The Belfry two years ago.Sam TorranceAge: 42. Never misses the cut but occasionally misses a putt, like the five-footer that cost Europe the Cup at Kiawah Island in South Carolina four years ago. Ryder Cup caps: 7.Pl29, W13, L11, H5, Pts15.5.Like Montgomerie, Langer is one of Bernard Gallacher’s blue-chip investments. As one of Europe’s leading players, he expects that to change. When Europe were blitzed at Walton Heath in 1981, Monty was a paying spectator “The Americans were frightening,” he said.