Ian Woosnam knows what makes a victorious Ryder Cup team tick.

The 52-year-old played in five successful European sides and as captain oversaw the 18½-9½ demolition of the United States at The K Club in 2006.

Now golf's most prestigious team tournament has arrived in Newport.

To mark the occasion, skysports.com's Oli Burley asked Woosie to pick his all-time dream Ryder Cup team comprising of players past and present, European or American, that he would back in their pomp to slay all-comers on Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten Course.

A fiendish task? Certainly, but not an impossible one so if you're inspired to select a 12-strong team to rival the wee Welshman's, the feedback form awaits you at the foot of the page...

Woosie's all-time Ryder Cup team

Seve Ballesteros, eight Ryder Cups

Always the first name on my team-sheet for sheer enthusiasm and passion alone; more than anything else Seve hated to lose the Ryder Cup and that shone through on the golf course in some of the incredible shots he played. That wood out of the bunker on 18 at the PGA National in 1983 springs to mind. He was unbelievable - and nigh-on unbeatable - at Muirfield Village in 1987, when Europe won the Ryder Cup for the first time on American soil. He and Jose Maria won three out of four points in the pairs before Seve clinched a crucial point for Europe by beating Curtis Strange on the 17th green. It was an incredible all-round display that encapsulated his overall Ryder Cup contribution.
Total matches 37: Won 20, Lost 12, Halved 5

Jose Maria Olazabal, seven Ryder Cups

It's a brave captain who picks Seve without Jose Maria, because he's blessed with the same type of spirit and genuine desire to win. You were never quite sure what they would do as a pairing - one moment they would be all over the park, the next they'd be holing out for a birdie - but it was certainly never dull. Their natural flair always kept you right on the edge of your seat. Aside from a chap whose name escapes me, no European player has scored more four-ball points in the competition than Jose Maria. He was no slouch in the singles either though as his one hole victory over Payne Stewart on that thrilling final day at the Belfry in 1989 proved.
Total matches 31: Won 18, Lost 8, Halved 5

Bernhard Langer, 10 Ryder Cups

Perhaps the ultimate team player. Not only can Bernhard play with anybody, he's willing to do so too which makes life a lot easier for a captain. Over the years he's also had the happy knack of bringing out the best in his partner too. A lot of people immediately think of that missed six-foot putt at Kiawah Island in 1991 when Bernhard's name is mentioned because of its significance; if he'd sunk it Europe would have tied the match and retained the Cup. What gets forgotten, though, is that he went out the following week and won the German Masters by beating Rodger Davis in a play-off. That gives you an idea of the mental strength he had. For the record, he had to aim around a spike mark on that Kiawah Island putt, not that he'd ever mention it!
Total matches 42: Won 21, Lost 15, Halved 6

Lee Westwood, seven Ryder Cups (inc. 2010)

A great influence in the locker room and a tough man to overcome on the course, Lee was one of my wildcard picks in 2006 and finished the tournament unbeaten. Lee's first Ryder Cup in 1997 was my last as a player but I don't think I could have passed the mantle on into better hands. Straight away it was clear that he thrived on every single minute of it and he's had many highlights over the years, including his partnership with Sergio (Garcia) at the Belfry in 2002 and sinking the putt that took Europe's points tally to 14 at Oakland Hills two years later. Lee did go through a low spell a couple of years ago but since then he's worked extremely hard to get himself back to the next level; he's put in plenty of work in the gym and looks great for it. With that little bit of luck he won't be restricted by his calf injury this time around because Europe need him fit and firing.
Total matches 29: Won 14, Lost 10, Halved 5

Darren Clarke, five Ryder Cups

I doubt there's been a more courageous winner than Darren at the K Club in 2006. He was my other wildcard pick and like Lee he delivered, winning three points from three matches even though his wife Heather had recently passed away and he was emotionally drained. I've always seen Darren as a fighter and nothing he did that year changed my mind. I had no problem sending him and Lee out on that first morning because they have such a strong understanding. That's crucial to any successful partnership; if you wondering if it's a six-iron or not, that's when you need your playing partner to step in and help. One of Darren's strengths is that he'd play with anyone and as one of Monty's vice-captains this year he'll bring that same strong sense of team ethos to the camp.
Total matches 20: Won 10, Lost 7, Halved 3

Sergio Garcia, five Ryder Cups

The 'Battle of Brookline' was no place for the faint-hearted but Sergio was up to the task even though at 19 he was the youngest player ever to represent Europe. Like many of his fellow Spaniards - and I include Miguel Angel Jimenez in this - he has a great heart and a strong fighting spirit. That shone through in his partnership with Jesper Parnevik in 1999, when between them they took 3½ points from a possible four, and also in Sergio's reaction to his singles defeat to Jim Furyk. He played remarkably well and was probably around six-under himself but he still lost 3&2 as Jim played incredibly well. I remember Sergio was so upset afterwards. It's great that Monty has made him one of his vice-captains because if anyone can pump the team up it's definitely him.
Total matches 24: Won 14, Lost 6, Halved 4

Nick Faldo, 11 Ryder Cups

Nick was a different person altogether when he was in the Ryder Cup team; he'd come out of his own self-driven world and put all of his efforts into helping the team. He was a really solid guy to have alongside you - as you'd expect from someone whose shown the nerve and bottle to win six majors. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have standing over a six-footer. People hated playing against him because he was so steady; they'd always say he was like a rock - you couldn't shake him or rattle him. I remember when I first played with him at Muirfield Village we were two-down after nine holes on the opening day but he wasn't rattled at all and we ended up with two victories under our belt. I'll also always remember the wedge he played to 18 in 1995 that sealed his comeback victory over Curtis Strange. He left it in a brilliant position, just below the hole, and was never going to miss.
Total matches 46: Won 23, Lost 19, Halved 4

Sandy Lyle, five Ryder Cups

Some may see Sandy as a surprise selection as he's lost more Ryder Cup points than he's won - and he could be quite inconsistent in foursomes sometimes - but in his pomp he was one of the best ball-strikers I've ever seen in my life. Remember that bunker shot on the last at the 1988 Masters? I've played with Sandy since we were kids and you couldn't find a player more prepared to give it his all and, when necessary, as capable of carrying you. Nothing ever really seemed to faze him, he was never one to get frustrated so he's great under pressure; he just plays the same way. I'd describe him as a calming influence in the team. Sometimes you'd think, 'come on Sandy, show a bit more aggression' but that simply wasn't his way.
Total matches 18: Won 7, Lost 9, Halved 2

Colin Montgomerie, eight Ryder Cups

A must-pick. Of all the players to have represented Europe, Monty's won the most single points underlining the massive contribution he's made over the years. I can't remember him losing, actually, which says a lot about his temperament. He pulled off the near impossible on his debut at Kiawah Island, coming back from four down with four to play to take a half off Mark Calcavecchia and that pretty much set the tone for the competitions to come. He's become part of the furniture over the years, clinching victory in 1997 with a half against Scott Hoch and then as good as finishing off the job again in 2004. It felt strange not to see him around at Valhalla but he's always had captaincy potential and I'm sure he'll do a great job this time around.
Total matches 36: Won 20, Lost 9, Halved 7

Corey Pavin, three Ryder Cups

Dogged and determined, you've never beaten Corey until you've beaten him - and even then it's not certain! As American captain he'll try to instil the same sort of resolve into his team as he had a player. His chip-in at the 18th at Oak Hill to beat Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer is just one example. I remember playing him and he'd hit something like a four wood off the tee on a long par four and you'd think 'thanks very much mate, I'll outdrive you by miles and win the hole' but then he'd smash his second onto the green and suddenly be putting for a birdie. He was the kind of person who could really get under your skin as well - he could be abrasive when he wanted to be, which made him a doubly difficult competitor.
Total matches 13: Won 8, Lost 5, Halved 0

Tom Kite, seven Ryder Cups

A quiet man but an incredibly tough one to beat, without a doubt. I'd definitely want him in my team. A steady iron player but blimey, could he putt! That's what you want in this type of competition - someone who is just going to reel off the birdies. Tom Watson is another player with a fine record (10-4-1) but I'd rather play him than Tom Kite - I don't know why, it's just a feeling you get about players. I remember seeing him make 10 birdies in 16 holes to beat Sandy Lyle at Walton Heath and Sandy didn't play too badly that day either - he got eight himself! Fred Couples went on a similar run against me at Valderrama in 1997 - funnily enough, the year Tom Kite was American captain.
Total matches 28: Won 15, Lost 9, Halved 4

Jack Nicklaus, six Ryder Cups

An inspirational figure for American golf and a key player in Ryder Cup history because he was at the forefront of the move to include Europe in the competition. He wasn't unbeatable - unless paired with Tom Watson - but he did provide plenty of classic moments over the years, including that famous halved match against Tony Jacklin in 1969. I've been lucky enough to play with Jack since then and it's been fascinating to see how he goes about his business. On the golf course he's in his own zone and everything he does is very methodical, right down to checking the precise yardage. He might not be quite as meticulous as Langer who, it's said, once asked if a distance was from the front or the back of the sprinkler, but he's not far behind!
Total matches 28: Won 17, Lost 8, Halved 3