12 Reasons to be Cheerful

Captain Monty has chosen his troops and I will tell you why you can be happy and hopeful as we look forward to Celtic Manor.

The announcement that everyone in the world of golf was waiting for and one that has divided golfing pundits across Europe has been made.

Everyone is having their say and getting their point across about who they would have chosen. Well let all the talking stop as I tell you why we all should be looking forward to this years golfing showpiece.

Ross Fisher - The first of the six rookies to be part of the 2010 team but don't let that fool you. The current holder of the Volvo World Match play Championship after beating Anthony Kim in the final last year is one of the straightest and longest drivers on tour. He played with Ian Poulter in last years Golf World Cup and you can expect those two to partner up in both fourball and foursomes. A wily competitor I'll back him now to win his singles as well.

Peter Hanson - Another rookie who has played his way into the team thanks to some fine form in the latter stages of qualifying. A win at the Czech Open virtually secured his place on the plane. Has been changing his putter a lot during the last few months but hopefully has found one that he will stick with. Represented Europe three times at the Seve Trophy and a top ten finish for Sweden at the 2007 World Cup means he is more than capable of team play. Out of the 12 players expect him to play the least with a possible foursomes paring with either Martin Kaymer or  Miguel Jimenez on one of the days.

Miguel Angel Jimenez - Known as 'The Mechanic' the charismatic Spaniard will add some well needed experience to the team. A 17 time winner on the European Tour and has been involved in five Ryder Cup's, four as a player and once as a vice-captain to none other than Sir Seve. Also represented Spain no fewer than 12 times in the World Cup, no player will look forward to facing him. A fantastic fairway's and greens man, Jimenez can play fourball and foursomes with no worries. Expect to see him out with a rookie in the foursomes, like Hanson or Kaymer and the possibility of a fourball paring with Lee Westwood is mouth watering.

Martin Kaymer - Another rookie, the German has had a meteoric rise to where he is now. Only turned pro five years ago and now a major winner after his win at the USPGA. A very popular figure on tour as he will be in the European locker room. A steady game with which nothing seems to phase him much like another famous German Bernhard Langer. A bright future, expect Kaymer to be at many more Ryder Cup's. Kaymer narrowly missed selection for the 2008 Ryder Cup, but European captain Nick Faldo  invited Kaymer to assist the European side in a non-playing capacity which Kaymer accepted. He also represented his country at the 2008 Omega Mission Hills World Cup with Alex Cejka. The pair finished in fifth. I expect to see him play a fair bit. Look to see him mostly in fourball action with either Jimenez or a great looking pairing with Padraig Harrington.

Graeme McDowell - A bit of an up and down year, the up most certainly being his US Open triumph at Pebble Beach in June which secured his place on the team. A great all weather player which could come in handy as the Welsh weather is somewhat unpredictable. Grew up on the coastline of Northern Ireland at Royal Portrush so knows how to play the wind. Admitted to being emotionally empty after his major victory which has seen him not at his best since. A four week break though before the Ryder Cup and with a victory at Celtic Manor earlier this year will get his morale and hopefully his form ready for the big clash. A ready made partnership with with Rory McIlroy is almost certain to feature four times on the opening two days. Look out for fireworks.

Rory McIlroy - The boy wonder is expected to deliver big things but lets not forget he is a Ryder rookie too. When hot he can be unplayable so lets hope he can bring that sort of form to Celtic Manor. As already stated his partnership with McDowell will be key for Europe. Good friends have always performed well in Ryder Cup's in the past if you look at Seve and Olazabal and Clarke and Westwood. Been part of golfing teams since 2003 in his amateur days so is not unfamiliar of the team environment. Monty knows he has a gem in ranks and look to see him use it. If however it doesn't start well for the pair, Monty won't be afraid to change it. I'm certain though it will be five appearances for young Rory.

Francesco Molinari - One half of the first brothers to ever compete for Europe in a Ryder Cup. Francesco's form has been consistent to say the least. Although no victories, seven top-ten finishes has made his place on the team secure. Won the World Cup with his brother Edoardo last year pipping N.Ireland duo Mcdowell and McIlroy to the title. The brothers will be a formidable partnership in both formats as they have been playing in team competitions since they were amateurs and although both rookies you can expect to see them play 36 holes the opening two days.

Ian Poulter - The lively Englishman will bring the spirit needed to regain the Samuel Ryder Trophy. Arguably Europe's best player in Valhalla two years ago as a captain's pick by Nick Faldo. Much like Padraig Harrington, seems to play his best golf when backed up against a wall and the press hounding him like they did in 08. The current WGC Accenture Match Play champion proves however that he is no pushover. Never knows when he's beaten which is a great quality to have especially in the Ryder Cup. Should be involved on all three days but with different partners all be it all-English one's with Westwood and Fisher possibilities in fourballs and with Luke Donald in fourballs.

Lee Westwood - The stalwart of the team, Monty will look to him to be his 'leader' on the course a title he has publicly said he is happy with and no wonder. A born winner and a fantastic Ryder Cup record will propel Westwood as the first name down on all three days. That is if he is fit, after tearing a calf muscle in late June, he finally succumbed to the pain during the WGC Bridgstone Invitational where he withdrew at the halfway point which meant he also missed the USPGA. He has been resting since then and Monty says he has been hitting balls ahead of schedule and could return to competitive golf at the Vivendi Trophy a week before the Ryder Cup. If this is the case it will be all four matches for him and most probably a number one position in the Sunday singles leading from the front as his captain did so well. Pick from five players to partner him in both formats, because he is that consistent.

Wild Cards

Luke Donald - You can't deny his record in this competition. Only one loss in seven matches overall and a 100% record in foursomes where he has won four out of four. For that reason alone he was a certain pick. Don't expect to see him in fourballs action, Monty has other tactics for that but I would put money on it now that Donald will play in both foursomes matches. He makes up for his lack in distance with steel and grit and his ability to hole putts from all over at vital times and in match play you simply can't play against. Like his fellow Englishmen he could be partnered with either of them but a foursomes pairing with Westwood would be delightful to watch.

Padraig Harrington - Has no doubt caused the biggest debate in wether he should or shouldn't be in the team. He is there so lets concentrate on the positives. A three time major winner and a type of stature in the game that nobody wants to play against. Never knows when to quit and he can get up and down from almost anywhere. Again in match play if you do that when you opponent thinks he has the hole won, it can easily turn the momentum. Monty said that he and his four vice-captains all agreed that Harrington should be in the team, so forget his Ryder Cup record which isn't the best to read and lets concentrate on the best battler in the game today. Don't expect to see him in foursomes as his game is to weak for that at the moment, but in fourballs I would imagine he will play both days. I would love to see him with Kaymer.

Edoardo Molinari - After his finish at Gleneagles to which Monty described as 'the best he has seen under the circumstances in his 24 years as a European Tour pro' you can't deny that the other half of the famous brothers partnership deserves his place in the team. Only a win would have probably seen him picked and he came up with the goods which can only be good as the Ryder Cup is played under intense pressure. As we know he will be beside his brother so expect to see them smile and laugh on the exterior whilst inside the Italian Stallion is working over time. Lets not forget he has won twice in two months in the UK so with being the last of the rookies don't count on him weltering under the pressure. I wouldn't put it past him to go unbeaten.

So I can't wait for the action to get under way. Also delighted that I will see Sergio Garcia in a Ryder Cup uniform, okay not playing but his passion for this form of the game is second to none . No Doubt we will see him grit his teeth with a fist pump during the three days, a what a three days it intends to be!

Come on Europe!