Ryder Cup 2012: Predicting Top Stars from This Weekend's Action

I was all set to break down the most important golfers for the Ryder Cup this weekend, then a thought struck me. Every golfer is important. 

This is a match-play tournament. Not only do golfers have to work together for a large majority of the time, but every "win" counts as a point. Tiger Woods could win his singles match by nine strokes, but he would get the same amount of credit as someone who wins by one stroke.

Again, every golfer is equally important. For once, golf is a team sport. 

So, change of plans. Let's take a look at who will rule supreme at Medinah this weekend. 

Rory McIlroy, Europe

Duh. 

Over the 23-year-old's last six tournaments, he's been about as close to as unbeatable as someone in golf can actually get. He's won three tournaments, finished in the top 10 in two others and shot about a million strokes under par. 

Of course, I rounded up on that last figure.

There's no question right now that McIlroy is the best golfer in the world, and to be honest, it's not even close. Expect him to win his singles match while carrying his teammate in the foursome and fourball matchups. 

Jim Furyk, USA

Experience always serves as a major boost in match-play tournaments, and I think it's safe to say the 42-year-old Furyk has that in bunches. 

The wily veteran who received a captain's pick has appeared in each of the last seven Ryder Cups as well as the last seven Presidents Cups. 

After being cut at The Barclays, Furyk has finished 13th, ninth and seventh at his last three tournaments and looks primed for a big showing at Medinah, where his match-play know-how will come into play. 

Tiger Woods, USA

Gosh, Tiger Woods sucks. He hasn't even won a major this year, said pretty much everyone. 

Most people would rather have you believe otherwise, but Woods is having a tremendous season. 

He finished third in the Fed-Ex Cup rankings, has three PGA tour wins and nine top-10 finishes, including a top eight in each of his past three tourneys. 

Has Woods failed to win a major this year? Yeah. Has he fallen apart on the weekend in some of the biggest tournaments? Of course. But is the world No. 2 golfer playing incredibly well? And is he back to elite status?

Absolutely.

Woods' expectations are sky high, but his consistent play over the past season and Furyk-like match-play experience will propel him to a huge weekend. 

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