The 18 craziest stats

Martin Hopley, director at Match Play World Rankings, looks at some of the Ryder Cup’s best performers over the years and picks the players who should make their respective teams…

USA THE LOCKS

The pick of the letters and emails to hit the Golf Monthly offices this month

Rory McIlroy is Europe’s top-ranked player heading into the Ryder Cup. Can he be a talisman once again, and has he now established himself as the best male player the continent has ever produced?

JACK NICKLAUS

Bill Elliott looks ahead to the biennial showdown at Bethpage Black, reflects on Ryder Cups past and highlights the important role both captains will play in deciding the eventual outcome