Ryder Cup 2012: Players Key to a 2nd Consecutive Victory for the Europeans

The European team was victorious at the 2010 Ryder Cup, and a few key performances can lift the to its second straight victory in 2012.

The United States has struggled at the tournament in the last decade, with 2008 being the only time the team has won in the last 10 years.

But 2008 was also the last time the biannual competition was held on American soil, and the USA will be determined to continue to defend their home territory. But this will be a difficult task as the Europeans are bringing a talented team to Medinah.

Here are the players who will cause the Americans the most problems.

Rory McIlroy

This is McIlroy’s second Ryder Cup, and he has already had a taste of victory.

The 23-year-old Northern Irishman has been playing stunningly well in recent months as he readies himself for the course at Medinah. 

Heading into the Tour Championship, McIlroy had won three of his last four tournaments, including the PGA Championship—the second victory at a major in his young career. But Brandt Snedeker took the FedEx Cup from him, and now McIlroy will be looking to even the score this weekend.

Despite his inexperience, McIlroy is the most talented player on the European team, and a fine performance from him would give his side a significant boost.

Graeme McDowell 

McIlroy’s compatriot has played in two Ryder Cups and been on both the winning and the losing end.

ESPN.co.uk’s Alex Dimond notes that McDowell and McIlroy are close friends, but that their pairings in 2010 were not as successful as the European team hoped for.

But each player is talented, and McDowell—who is 10 years older than McIlroy—can keep his talented teammate focused throughout the competition.

But to do that, he will need to play well and keep himself composed first. If McDowell is able to have a impactful performance, it will have a positive effect on the entire team.

Luke Donald 

Donald is one player that captain Jose Maria Olazabal will not be overly concerned about.

The Englishman is one of the most consistent players in the world, and his calm demeanor is ideal for this pressure-packed tournament. 

Playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, Donald will be looked to as a player that must lead by example. He has the ability to draw the most out of his teammates with a measured and high-level performance.

Donald is a key part of the European team, and if he delivers, the Americans will have a difficult time winning the competition.

Sergio Garcia

Garcia and Donald are another pair of buddies who are capable after putting on a show in the foursomes competition, as Dimond points out.

Having players who feed off of one another is an integral part to a successful Ryder Cup team, and Olazabal’s team has excellent chemistry.

In addition to being friends, Garcia and Donald are ranked No. 19 and No. 3 in the world, respectively. If these two can coax top-class performances out of one another, the Europeans stand an excellent chance at winning their fifth Ryder Cup in six tries.

With both talent and complementary personalities, this European team will not go down easy.