Ranking the 2018 Ryder Cup participants

Fans of both sides are probably still scratching their heads that Garcia was selected for a ninth Ryder Cup appearance. He hasn't won since his emotional 2017 Masters triumph, and he missed the cut at all four majors this season for the first time ever. However, experience and passion is why Garcia will be in France, despite his 3-4-1 singles mark at the Ryder Cup.

Looking for that Must-See TV personality, the 26-year-old Englishman could be the guy. He's passionate, sometimes to the extreme. The Ryder Cup is all about emotion, but how well Hatton handles his when things get rough will be interesting to see during his first Ryder Cup. Not really a household name to American golf fans, Hatton tied for sixth at the U.S. Open and 10th at the PGA Championship this year. 

Perhaps the most intriguing golfer for the European side, Rahm is making his much-anticipated Ryder Cup debut. The Spaniard started strong with wins in January and April but scuffled a bit as the season went on. Still, there are some high expectations for Rahm, who could be at his best during the first two days of the event. 

Another of European captain Thomas Bjorn's wild-card picks as a member of the European Tour, Casey's inclusion has been a long time coming. The Englishman has competed in three Ryder Cups — winning two — but none since 2008. He's been a relatively serviceable Ryder Cup participant, traditionally better in two-man formats than singles. But as a veteran who has enjoyed a solid 2018, Casey could prove invaluable.

A vice-captain in 2016, Watson watched the U.S. reclaim the Ryder Cup. But after a three-win season in 2018, he'll have a say in whether the Americans can repeat. He also gets the chance to improve on a rather poor Ryder Cup record (3-8-0) and will try a fourth time to record his first singles victory in the event.

Simpson, who won his first tournament (The Players Championship) in five years this season, is making his third Ryder Cup appearance. The other two didn't go that well, as his 2-3-1 record will attest. He's never won a singles match in the event, but his experience and calm demeanor could prove valuable during the weekend. 

Hailing from Denmark, just like his captain, Olesen is another Ryder Cup rookie and one of Europe's automatic qualifiers. The 2018 Italian Open winner, Olesen also tied for 12th at the Open Championship. Americans might not know much about the 28-year-old, but he's enjoyed a strong enough season to be taken seriously at Le Golf National.

Finau was Jim Furyk's final captain's pick, which really wasn't much of a surprise. With three top-10 finishes in majors this season, Finau has shown he's capable of playing well when the lights are brightest. As a first-timer in the event, there also is not much pressure on Finau, who can relax and play his game.

Owner of 10 European Tour victories, the 36-year-old Swede is getting his first taste of the Ryder Cup experience. That success in Europe, along with some solid showings stateside, makes Noren somebody to watch. He might not have Ryder Cup experience, but Noren has played plenty of big-time golf.

No wins in 2018 and an 0-2-0 Ryder Cup singles mark is what people will be talking pre-event for Spieth. Still, he can't be counted out. The guy's a three-time major winner and placed inside the top 10 at the Masters and Open Championship this season. Partnering up still might be Spieth's best bet for success, as Furyk remains confident in the 25-year-old.

At 48, Mickelson is looking at his 12th and likely final Ryder Cup appearance. He's never won in Europe, which is one reason Furyk selected him, but his experience, obviously, is another. However, there are many who believe Mickelson does not deserve to be in France. He has not placed better than a tie for 12th in his last nine tournaments, but Furyk is hoping Lefty has one more grand performance left in him.

Here is another first-timer who European golf fans are eager to see in France this weekend. The runner-up at the U.S. Open this year, the 27-year-old Fleetwood has three wins on the European Tour since the start of 2017. Though Fleetwood has displayed that talent worldwide, he could be the one golfer who enjoys a breakout performance this weekend.

At 29, Fowler is making his fourth Ryder Cup trip. He's steady, confident and won't try to do too much. He also doesn't have to worry about trying to win a major — just the greatest team event, and on European soil. He went 2-1-0 in 2016, highlighted by a 1-up victory over Justin Rose.

Another of Bjorn's wild-card picks, Stenson is headed for his fifth Ryder Cup. He's split his four singles matches and is 5-4-2 overall, so it can be said that Stenson has experienced the highs and low of this type of golf. Expect him and Justin Rose to once again be paired together but hoping for better results than in 2016. 

Thomas makes his highly anticipated Ryder Cup debut. A strong 3-1-1 showing at last year's President's Cup offered a glimpse that he is capable of carrying his individual success into a team format. It will be interesting to see whom Furyk will pair Thomas with because he'll create a formidable duo with just about anybody on the U.S. roster.

At age 25, DeChambeau embarks on the first of what should be several Ryder Cup stops. He broke out with three victories in 2018 and could be an X-factor for Furyk and the U.S. squad. Perhaps more impressive than his physical game is his intelligence, which should come in handy this weekend. 

A stellar 2018 campaign has Molinari in his third Ryder Cup. As the winner of this year's Open Championship, Bjorn is expecting big things from Molinari, who does not have a singles victory in the event but halved a point via Tiger Woods' final-hole concession to complete Europe's improbable 2012 comeback.

Was there ever really a doubt Bjorn would take Poulter with one of his picks? One of the most successful golfers in Europe's Ryder Cup history, the 42-year-old Poulter is 12-4-2 during his five appearances in the team event. Perhaps more impressive is Poulter's 4-0-1 record in singles play. A Ryder Cup star in 2008 and again in 2012, Poulter might be Europe's most valuable golfer. 

A four-time Ryder Cup participant and three-time winner, McIIroy is a staple when it comes to this scene. He had never lost a singles match at the Ryder Cup until Patrick Reed got the best of him in 2016. Another Rory-Reed matchup on Sunday would be great theater — especially with the title on the line.

Reed was the star in 2016, earning a team-best 3.5 points from his five matches. He holed-out for eagle during four-ball play on Day 2 and topped McIlroy in singles. He's 6-1-2 in two Ryder Cups, so plenty will be expected of Reed, the golfer and the personality, this weekend in France.

News flash: Tiger's back — in a big way. Woods capped his improbable 2018 comeback by winning the Tour Championship and will no doubt be the talk of the Ryder Cup. He was going to be in France anyway as part of Furyk's staff, but now he's expected to help the U.S. pull off a win in Europe. The Ryder Cup hasn't necessarily been kind to Woods (13-17-3), but with the way he's performed down the stretch this season, anything is possible.

Johnson is 6-5-0 in three Ryder Cups, but the story is his perfect 3-for-3 in singles play. A third-place finish at the Tour Championship should give Johnson plenty of confidence heading to France. He's also determined to square his Ryder Cup record at 2-all after helping the U.S to victory in 2016.

All eyes with be on Tiger, and DJ has been just as strong at the Ryder Cup. But America's best player just might be the chiseled Koepka. Not only has he won three of the last seven majors, but he went 3-1-0 in this event during his rookie attempt in 2016. It would make sense for Koepka and Johnson to be paired again to avenge his only blemish from two years ago. 

The No. 1 ranked player in the world and FedEx Cup champ, Rose is making his fifth Ryder Cup appearance. The Englishman boasts an impressive 9-3-2 overall record and is 2-1-1 in singles. He was a big reason Team Europe stunned the U.S. with a dramatic comeback in 2012 outside Chicago. It's wise to think Rose will have a say in England's fate this time around as well.