How they match up

Westwood and Kaymer:

Strengths

In Kaymer, Europe have arguably the form player in world golf. Followed up his US PGA win by taking the KLM Dutch Open on his reappearance. Westwood is world number three: enough said!

Weaknesses

Concern about Westwood’s fitness. He has been out of competitive golf effectively since the British Open in July with a calf injury.

X Factor

The Anglo-German pairing is a ready-made birdie machine. They won’t be fazed by opening the match.

Versus

Mickelson and D Johnson

Strengths

Dustin Johnson will love this place. He hits the ball a mile – well, sort off – and averages 308 yards in driving on the US tour. Mickelson might finally have found an aggressive partner.

Weaknesses

The slow greens will torment Mickelson, while the gung-ho nature of both players might occasionally prove costly.

X Factor

Long, long, long . . . .

Verdict:halved match

McIlroy and McDowell:

Strengths

GMac is a course-and-distance winner, having won the Wales Open here in June. McIlroy will be in a comfort zone playing with McDowell and comes in refreshed after a two-week break.

Weaknesses

None – although McIlroy will soon discover this is no exhibition.

X Factor

Ooze confidence with a capital “C”.

Versus

Cink and Kuchar:

Strengths

Kuchar has bloomed this season, recording 11 Top-10s and topping the stroke average on the US Tour with 69.59. Cink is Mr Consistency, rarely in trouble.

Weaknesses

Concern that Kuchar’s form may have peaked over a month ago.

X Factor:

Good buddies, both originally from the Atlanta area.

Verdict:Europe

Donald and Harrington:

Strengths

The European combination could literally putt your lights out and have two of the best short games going. Temperamentally they seem ideally suited.

Weaknesses

Donald is not one of the longest hitters on a course that punishes the wayward. Harrington needs the driver to behave this week.

X Factor

Donald could not be in better form and on the evidence of the practice days this week and his final 36 holes in France last week the same applies to his partner.

Versus

Watson and Overton:

Strengths

Watson hits the ball further than most people go on holiday and that’ll be a big plus this week. Overton showed consistency early on to make the team.

Weaknesses

Two rookie players in partnership can go one of two ways. Overton has yet to win a tournament and his form of late has been patchy.

X Factor

If they can negotiate first tee nerves and stay in the match through the first half a dozen holes or grab a lead their confidence will quickly grow.

Verdict: Europe

Poulter and Fisher:

Strengths

Fisher is very long and straight and has an aptitude for matchplay, so too has Poulter, who’ll relish the occasion.

Weaknesses

Fisher needs to be a little more consistent, while his playing partner hasn’t shown his best form in recent times.

X Factor

Poulter handled his contentious selection as a wild card at Valhalla brilliantly, producing a series of brilliant performances. He loves the combative nature of the golf.

Versus

Striker and Woods:

Strengths

There are so many of them, particularly if Woods regains any kind of form. Stricker is one of the best putters in the game.

Weaknesses

Woods’ form would be a concern. If he starts spraying it off the tee, the rough is particularly long and lush: Stricker could be under pressure right away.

X Factor

If you grab a Tiger by the tail it’s important not to let go as one or two Europeans may find. This pair have excelled together in the President’s Cup.

Verdict:USA