2012 European Ryder Cup Team: Rory McIlroy and Co. Have Firepower to Topple USA

While all the 2012 Ryder Cup hoopla stateside has been about a Team USA resurgence, the Team Europe opposing them has a collection of stars that can blow the hosts out of the water.

Rory McIlroy is not the undisputed leader of the team, with age and experience prevalent on this European side—but he is certainly expected to play the best golf.

The expectations are warranted. The No. 1 golfer in the world is certainly in tremendous form having won three tournaments out of four since August 6th. Rory is certainly the bread winner of this group; he's made 4.5 million since August.

With only one Ryder Cup cap to his name, however, McIlroy heeds to a roster-full of Ryder Cup dynamos. The question isn't who will be the star for this team, it is who won't be.

Along with McIlroy, three more on the European team make up the top five in the world: Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose.

Sound formidable enough?

Not to mention, McIlroy's partner, Graeme McDowell, who's been in the final group in two of this year's majors. He knows what it takes on the big stage; being paired with McIlroy can't hurt either.

All but three of the entire Team Europe has a winning record in match play, while some have standout records amongst the entire field. Luke Donald is six-for-six in foursomes, only losing two rounds total in three caps.

German Martin Kaymer is another fearsome foursome player, sweeping all of his fours matches in Wales at the last Ryder Cup.

Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia lead the team with 16 and 14 wins total, respectively. If Europe is going to take home another Ryder Cup back abroad, these four will be continuing their winning ways in match play.

Behind McIlroy, the Europeans have a resume-laden group headed to Medinah Country Club. An experienced enough group it seems, to ward off the American ascension and win fifteen points on the road.