Golf-European Ryder Cup player profiles

GLENEAGLES, Scotland Aug 29 (Reuters) - Brief profiles of the 12 players who will represent Europe against holders the United States in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, Wales, from Oct. 1-3:

Lee Westwood (Britain)

Age: 37

World ranking: 3

European Tour wins: 20

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: 6 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)

Ryder Cup record (wins-defeats-halves): 14-10-5

One of the world's best players from tee to green but his short game is his Achilles heel. The Englishman has seven times finished in the top five at a major championship without achieving a breakthrough victory.

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Rory McIlroy (Britain)

Age: 21

World ranking: 7

European Tour wins: 1

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: None

When he recorded a 40-yard drive at the age of two, it was clear Northern Ireland had unearthed a golfing gem. Achieved first European Tour win in Dubai last year and followed up with a four-shot victory against a top-class U.S. PGA Tour field at the Quail Hollow Championship in May 2010.

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Martin Kaymer (Germany)

Age: 25

World ranking: 5

European Tour wins: 6

Major wins: 1

Previous Ryder Cups: None

Underlined his talent by becoming only the second German, after Bernhard Langer, to win a major when he landed this month's U.S. PGA Championship. Managed a rare feat last season by claiming two victories in a row at the French Open and Scottish Open.

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Graeme McDowell (Britain)

Age: 31

World ranking: 13

European Tour wins: 6

Major wins: 1

Previous Ryder Cups: 1 (2008)

Ryder Cup record: 2-1-1

Ended a 40-year wait for a European winner of the U.S. Open when he lifted the title two months ago, joining Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Tom Watson as winners of golf's second oldest major at the spectacular Pebble Beach links in California.

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Ian Poulter (Britain)

Age: 34

World ranking: 11

European Tour wins: 9

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: 2 (2004 and 2008)

Ryder Cup record: 5-2-0

Became the first English winner of a WGC event when he beat compatriot Paul Casey in the Accenture Match Play final in Arizona in February. Justified his wildcard selection for the 2008 Ryder Cup by scoring four points out of a possible five.

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Ross Fisher (Britain)

Age: 29

World ranking: 28

European Tour wins: 4

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: None

The big-hitting Englishman proved his ability at the highest level last season by leading all four majors at one stage, his best finish coming in the U.S. Open where he took fifth spot. Won this month's Irish Open.

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Francesco Molinari (Italy)

Age: 27

World ranking: 38

European Tour wins: 1

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: None

Francesco and brother Edoardo teamed up in November to win the World Cup for Italy for the first time. It was a fitting 2009 finale for the pair as Francesco achieved his best season to date and Edoardo won the second-tier Challenge Tour.

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Peter Hanson (Sweden)

Age: 32

World ranking: 40

European Tour wins: 4

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: None

Hanson took advantage of a late invitation from the sponsors to win last week's Czech Open. Earned more than one million euros ($1.26 million) last season for only the second time in his career.

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Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain)

Age: 46

World ranking: 39

European Tour wins: 17

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: 3 (1999, 2004, 2008)

Ryder Cup record: 1-5-1

One year after reaching the landmark of 500 European Tour events at the 2009 French Open, one of golf's great characters picked up his 17th title at the same event and his second of 2010 following his triumph at the Dubai Desert Classic.

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Padraig Harrington (Ireland)

Age: 38

World ranking: 18

European Tour wins: 14

Major wins: 3

Previous Ryder Cups: 5 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008)

Ryder Cup record: 7-11-3

One of the best putters in golf, Harrington became the first European to win back-to-back majors when he triumphed at the 2008 British Open and U.S. PGA Championship, having also won the British Open the previous year. The genial Irishman, though, is without a title since his U.S. PGA victory.

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Luke Donald (Britain)

Age: 32

World ranking: 10

European Tour wins: 3

Major wins: 0

Previous Ryder Cups: 2 (2004, 2006)

Ryder Cup record: 5-1-1

Not one of the longest hitters, Donald is renowned for his reliability and for being one of the straightest off the tee. Has won on both sides of the Atlantic and ended a six-year victory drought in Europe by lifting the Madrid Masters in May.

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Edoardo Molinari (Italy)

Age: 29

World ranking: 21

European Tour wins: 2

Major wins: None

Previous Ryder Cups: None

Edoardo followed up his 2009 World Cup victory alongside brother Francesco by landing his maiden European Tour title at the Scottish Open in July, then won the Johnnie Walker Championship on Sunday in brilliant fashion to earn a Ryder Cup debut. The Italian also scooped record earnings of 242,979 euros on last season's second-tier Challenge Tour.

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(Compiled by Tony Jimenez; Editing by Clare Fallon. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)