European captain and event inspiration Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros (Spa, capt.)
Age: 46 Seve Trophy caps: 2 Ryder Cup caps: 9
Spain's legendary Ryder Cup star continues to captain the European side in the tournament of his own invention. Has slipped to 279th on the Order of Merit - and 1,231st in the world - but will be keen for a third straight win over opposite number Colin Montgomerie.

Thomas Bjorn (Den)
Age: 32 Seve Trophy caps: 2 Ryder Cup caps: 2
The Dane finished eighth on the Order of Merit after three second places, including his infamous runner-up spot at the Open Championship. Also lost to close friend Ernie Els in the HSBC World Match Play final at Wentworth.

Fredrik Jacobson (Swe)
Age: 29 Seve Trophy caps: 0 Ryder Cup caps: 0
A three-time winner in Europe this season, Jacobson triumphed in the year-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama in a play-off. Heading for a Ryder Cup debut next year.

Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia (Spa)
Age: 23 Seve Trophy caps: 1 Ryder Cup caps: 2
The exciting Spaniard has had a lukewarm season, missing eight cuts in America. One glimmer of hope is four top 20 finishes in his last four outings but he is a player in need of some confidence.

Alex Cejka (Ger)
Age: 32 Seve Trophy caps: 2 Ryder Cup caps: 0
Played mostly on the US Tour this year where a second place at the BC Open was his best finish, though he was also an impressive fourth at the US PGA. Beat Ian Woosnam 5&4 for his only victory from four matches in last year's Seve Trophy.

Ignacio Garrido (Spa)
Age: 31 Seve Trophy caps: 0 Ryder Cup caps: 1
The Volvo PGA Champion has not reached the same heights since his win at Wentworth in May. He did manage 10th at the WGC-American Express Championship en route to 17th in the Volvo Order of Merit.

Sweden's Niclas Fasth

Niclas Fasth (Swe)
Age: 31 Seve Trophy caps: 1 Ryder Cup caps: 1
A quiet but steely-competitive member of last year's victorious European Ryder Cup side. Best finish of third at the German Masters this year and 22nd on the Order of Merit.

Raphael Jacquelin (Fra)
Age: 29 Seve Trophy caps: 1 Ryder Cup caps: 0
Improved his European ranking by 52 places this year, rising to 20th with three third-place finishes. Won one-and-a-half points out of five on his Seve Trophy debut at Druid's Glen last year.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)
Age: 39 Seve Trophy caps: 2 Ryder Cup caps: 1
An ever-present at the Seve Trophy and a member of the infamous 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline where he won two points out of five. Finished 23rd in Europe this year after victory in Mallorca.

Jose Maria Olazabal