Ryder Cup 2012 Predictions: Rookies Who Will Shine at Marquee Event

One thing that's always interesting to watch during the Ryder Cup is how golfers playing in the event for the first time perform. After all, it's an atmosphere completely different from what they normally deal with on the PGA or European Tours.

Some first-time players use the enthusiastic crowds and team-first attitude as motivation, while others are unable to deal with the pressure. In an event where every point matters, Ryder Cup rookie performance can often be the difference between winning and losing.

With that in mind, let's take a look at one rookie from each side that should be able to handle the spotlight starting on Friday.

United States: Brandt Snedeker

While everybody was talking about Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, Snedeker quietly positioned himself to win the FedEx Cup. He then played terrific at the Tour Championship last week to win the season title, beating out his more talked about counterparts.

The triumph should give him plenty of momentum when he tees off at Medinah Country Club. The 31-year-old Tennessee native proved, both to himself and the golf world, that he could come up big when it mattered most.

Turning right around after the biggest victory of his career and playing in an equally important tournament this weekend will be a tricky test, but the even-keeled Snedeker should be able to refocus in time to help the American team.

The American team has two superstars in Woods and Phil Mickelson, but both of them have records below .500 in their Ryder Cup careers. That means somebody else will have to step up to help them earn the points necessary to regain the coveted trophy.

Snedeker will need to be that guy. He's in the best form of his career and led the PGA Tour in putting, a stat which is going to ultimately decide which team comes out on top.

Europe: Nicolas Colsaerts

The European team only has one rookie, but he's a good one. Colsaerts has garnered a lot of attention because he can hit the ball crazy distances off the tee, but has really developed an all-around game that should help his team's Cup defense.

When combining both Tours, the rising star from Belgium has finished eighth or better in three of his past four starts. He also had an impressive showing at the Open Championship where he finished seventh thanks to a tremendous final round.

In other words, there's more to his game than hitting it a mile off the tee. He's well on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world and the experience he gains by playing the Ryder Cup will help him in that quest.

Colsaerts is the type of player that can get on a hot streak and earn multiple points for Europe. If he's able to do that to go along with an already stout roster featuring McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, the Americans will face a serious uphill battle.

The Ryder Cup is shaping up to go right down to the wire. Don't be surprised if Colsaerts ends up putting Europe back in the winner's circle.