Europe begin their defence of the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next week.
Here we look at some of the talking points surrounding the event.
CAN THE UNITED STATES ACTUALLY WIN IT THIS TIME?
After appointing a specially-assembled task force and a captain well liked by players, the hosts have given themselves the best chance of lifting the cup for only the second time in 14 years. Fortune has also played into their hands in that US Open winner Dustin Johnson is currently the world's in-form golfer. Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed (likely to be Spieth's partner over the first two days) and Phil Mickelson will be expected to carry the burden of responsibility.
HOW MUCH WILL HOME ADVANTAGE PLAY A PART?
Aside from the fervent partisan crowd the Hazeltine course itself may play into the hands of the hosts. Research done by the US team discovered how they play the par-fives often dictates whether they win or lose. With America having the edge when it comes to prodigious driving length the early plan appears to be to make the four par-fives play as long as possible. However, elsewhere the Minneapolis course requires precision off the tee.
HOW WILL EUROPE'S ROOKIES FARE?
Half the team are first-timers and, partly as a result, captain Darren Clarke felt the need to add experience when he picked Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Of those rookies, however, one is Masters champion Danny Willett and another Chris Wood, who won the prestigious BMW Championship, one of the big events on the European Tour. Rafa Cabrera Bello, aged 32, is hardly a novice while the raw power of Thomas Pieters has seen him finish first, second and fourth (at the Olympics) in his last three events to carry some form in.
WHO HAS THE BEST CAPTAINCY CREDENTIALS?
Davis Love III has been here before, although he will not care to remember the 2012 'Miracle of Medinah', when almost certain victory was snatched from the United States' grasp by the brilliance of the Europeans. Having also served as a vice-captain two years prior to that and featured in six as a player he is as experienced as you get, and after the hand-wringing of yet another defeat at Gleneagles last time out no stone has been left unturned. Darren Clarke is a five-time Ryder Cup player with two stints as vice-captain. Unlike Love, who outside the majors has played 14 events this year, he has been able to dedicate more time to captaincy (playing just eight). The perception is there has been less structured approach on the European side compared to the Americans and the ability to be flexible often pays off once the battle is under way.
HOW DOES THE STAR QUALITY ADD UP?
The United States' big guns are Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson and with Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker in the side they have a combined 11 majors. Europe's lead man is Rory McIlroy, closely followed by Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose. Danny Willett and Martin Kaymer take the major count to nine. Ian Poulter's absence through injury is a significant blow, however.
Source: PA-WIRE
