European Ryder Cup watch

A European may not have won the USPGA for over 70 years but with the Ryder Cup looming and Oakland Hills a firm favourite for those who played the Ryder Cup in 2004, we run the rule over the best of the Europeans

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Padraig Harrington

Ryder Cup standing: 1st.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is a man for the big occasion, as his 3rd placed finish at the Open Championship demonstrated. With a fine record in the USA, including a victory at the Accenture World Match Play Championship, Stenson must fancy a first Major. However, he must reverse his terrible record in the USPGA.

2008 has been something of a breakthrough year for Robert Karlsson in the Majors, with top-8 finishes in all three tournaments so far. With six other top-10s, the tall Swede has been among the most consistent players on the European Tour this season, and is a certainty for the European team for September’s Ryder Cup at Valhalla.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez

Missing the cut at the Open Championship at Birkdale was one of the few disappointments for Miguel Ángel Jiménez this season. Top 8 finishes in the first two Majors will have given him the confidence that he can take home the trophy this year. Will his putting stand up to the pressure?

Championship odds: 50/1

Victories at the Ballantine’s Championship, and at the Scottish Open have propelled Graeme McDowell up to second place in the Volvo Order of Merit, and he has now sealed his place in the European Ryder Cup team. Having failed to qualify for the first two Majors of the year, the Ulsterman will be keen to show that he is ready to compete at the very highest level. He enjoyed a fantastic Open, leading after the first round.

Soren Hansen arrives at Oakland Hills on the back of a solid season to date. Five top 10s, including a third placed finish at the Open de France has seen him climb to seventh in the Ryder Cup standings. But, with a number of players still in contention for Nick Faldo’s team, the Dane could do with a top-10 finish here to secure his place at Valhallla.

Championship odds: 100/1

Championship odds: 40/1

Garcia will be keen to lose the “best player to have never won a Major” tag that has followed him around since he exploded on to the scene with a second place at the USPGA at Medinah in 1999 as a 19-year-old. Garcia’s win at the Players Championship this year shows that he is ready to put his putting woes behind him and realise his massive potential.

Championship odds: 100/1

Casey doesn’t have the best record at this event, but he does certainly have the game to tame Oakland Hills. A tie for 11th at The Masters and 7th at The Open suggests he could be due for his first win of the year. With some high-profile names currently outside automatic qualification, Casey knows that a good week here will help secure him a place in his third Ryder Cup.

Championship odds: 100/1

Championship odds: 50/1

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