The players that matter most (and least) at this Ryder Cup

PARIS -- One of the most difficult things to get people to understand every two years in preparation for the Ryder Cup is that match play and stroke play are different animals. They are almost different sports. Stroke play is about consistency and focus, blocking out your surroundings. Match play is about emotion, energy, a flair for the dramatic. If you're great at stroke play, you can be great at match play, but it's not a given. In stroke play, 90 percent of the time you're competing against the course.

Tiger is hot. But should the U.S. be cautious with him or go all out? Who could shine (or falter) for Europe? And, most important, which side wins?

Sure, there are golf balls and tees and…