The Ryder Cup from Medinah, Chicago, USA - Date: 28-30 September 2012 The 2012 Ryder Cup is set to be an excellent challenge between the USA and Europe with the USA set on taking the Cup away from the European team. Both sides are fielding some of the worlds best golfers and the match has all the hallmarks of being a first class tournament with plenty of friendly, yet extremely load rivalry. The Teams: * Europe Rory McIlroy (23, NI), Justin Rose (32, Eng), Paul Lawrie (43, Sco), Graeme McDowell (33, NI), Francesco Molinari (29, Ita), Luke Donald (34, Eng), Lee Westwood (39, Eng), Sergio Garcia (32, Spa), Peter Hanson (34, Swe), Martin Kaymer (27, Ger), Nicolas Colsaerts (29, Bel), Ian Poulter (36, Eng) * United States Tiger Woods (36), Bubba Watson (33), Jason Dufner (35), Keegan Bradley (26), Webb Simpson (27), Zach Johnson (36), Matt Kuchar (34), Phil Mickelson (42), Steve Stricker (45), Jim Furyk (42), Brandt Snedeker (31), Dustin Johnson (28) Whilst Olazabal's team maybe marginal underdogs over the long fairways and fast greens of Medinah Country Club, 20 miles west of Chicago. Love has promised "fired-up" crowds over the three-day contest, with 40,000 expected to throng the course each day for what promises to be one of the closest ever Ryder Cups. The USA's sole success this century came at Valhalla four years ago and Love will lean heavily on the experience of 14-time major winner Woods, Mickelson and Furyk as he attempts to steer a team containing four debutants to victory. Olazabal hopes to inspire his side with the memory of his late friend and team-mate Seve Ballesteros, who helped reinvigorate a previously US-dominated contest with a succession of European wins in the 1980s and 1990s. |
