Phil Mickelson

The 38-year-old Californian has won twice on the US Tour this season and held off a spirited challenge from Padraig Harrington to hold firm as number two in the world and qualify for Paul Azinger's team top of the US points standings.

'Lefty' started the year in stunning form, securing two top-10s in his opening events before winning the Northern Trust Open in February.

A fifth-placed finish at The Masters in April followed, before Mickelson won his 34th US Tour title at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in May.

He failed to mount a serious challenge at The Open, US Open and US PGA Championship, however, and has now gone 11 Majors without adding to his three titles - the last of which came at the 2006 Masters.

Mickelson made the first of his six Ryder Cup appearances in 1995 at Oak Hill Country Club, where he won all three of his matches – including a defeat of Seve Ballesteros and David Gilford paired with Jay Haas in the fourballs – but still found himself on the losing side.

Four years' later he was part of the last US team to taste victory at Brookline Country Club, winning a vital singles match on the final day against Jarmo Sandelin four-and-three.

In 2004 at Oakland Hills, Lefty was paired with Woods and defeated twice on the opening day by Colin Montgomerie and Harrington in the fourballs, and Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood in the foursomes.

He would finish the event with four losses from four matches and with his side on the receiving end of the heaviest Ryder Cup defeat in history.

More of the same followed in 2006 at The K Club. Mickelson played five matches – losing four and halving one as the US fell to their third successive feat.

Mickelson's overall Ryder Cup record remains impressive, however, with nine wins from his six appearances, and he is arguably the opponent European players will fear the most.

Possessed of a sublime short game and the ability to move the ball at will, the new slimline Mickelson will enter this years' Ryder Cup determined to prove his doubters wrong and kickstart a new chapter in his glittering career.

Azinger is hoping for good things from the player he sees as a figurehead for his Valhalla team.

"Phil is a good friend of mine and arguably, I think, one of the best players that has ever lived, with 34 wins and three Major titles," Azinger said.

"We're going to have a great time. I've already sought a lot of Phil's input with respect to course setup."

Born: June 16, 1970, San Diego, California

Lives: Rancho Santa Fe, California

Height / Weight: 6ft 3in / 14 stone

College: Arizona State

Turned Professional: 1992

US Tour titles: 34

European Tour titles: 2

Other titles: 3

Majors: 3

Masters 2004, 2006

US PGA Championship 2005

Appearances: 6

1995, 1997, 1999 (winners), 2002, 2004, 2006

Overall record: Won 9: Lost 12: Halved 4