Ryder Cup 2012 Captains: Davis Love III Has Tough Challenge vs. Great Europeans

United States captain Davis Love III has a difficult challenge ahead of him as his team begins its quest to win the Ryder Cup on Friday at Medinah Country Club.

The United States will face a very strong European team that will make it difficult for the Americans to recapture the Ryder Cup after their one-point defeat in Wales two years ago. European captain Jose Maria Olazabal has plenty of skill, leadership and experience in his squad.

The spotlight will be on Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, who are arguably the two best golfers in the world right now. Both will be expected to dominate for their respective sides, but this time, Woods is under the most pressure to perform.

Woods had a bounce-back season despite not winning a major tournament, but he will need to play at an even higher level for the Americans to win this tournament.

Fellow team members Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley are all good players, but they did not perform as expected this season. The three of them combined for no major tournament victories, and just three PGA event wins.

Love will have to rely on Woods, and 2012 FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker to carry the United States team this week.

This isn't an ideal situation against a European team with few weaknesses. This is also Snedeker's first time participating in the Ryder Cup, and his lack of experience could be an issue with the United States under pressure to play well on home soil.

Love has a good team, but he needs some of his best players to have a phenomenal tournament for the United States to win. This should make for a very exciting Ryder Cup.