After two long years of waiting the 2014 Ryder Cup is here and the American team is looking for redemption. After two long years and the Americans collapse at Medinah they are looking for revenge in a hostile environment in Scotland. In 2012, the American team just fell apart in Sunday’s single matches and the Euro’s made a tremendous comeback to win the Cup. The American’s are hungry. But the Euro’s are looking extremely strong again this year.
Here are the top five European players the USA has to worry about.
Rory McIlroy
The first and foremost and probably the hottest player on the Euro side is Rory McIlroy. McIlroy is playing some of his best golf going into the Ryder Cup and when the team’s pair up him and his good buddy Graeme McDowell will be extremely hard to beat.
Rory is playing in his third Ryder Cup and has a record of 4 wins 3 loses and 2 halved. He has been part of the Euro team (2010 and 2012) that has never lost to the Americans. McIlroy faltered in the Tour Championship stating “fatigue” as the main reason for him not winning the FedEx Cup. He took and week off after the final round to recharge his batteries and focus on the Ryder Cup.
These team competitions seem to bring out the best in McIlroy. The only downside to Rory right now is his inconstancy in his overall game right now. Will we see the Rory that won three straight tournaments late in the season or will we see the tired and worn out McIlroy. Only time will tell.
Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter has an 80% winning percentage in his Ryder Cup appearances. This will mark his fifth trip (2004, 2008, 2010, and 2012) to this prestige event. His record of 12 wins and 3 losses is the best record of any player in this year’s affair. Poulter brings the enthusiasm for the Euro team and he just plays so much better in these team competitions.
Poulter is always someone the Americans look forward to playing with his loud, feisty and never say die attitude. Of his last eight matches Poulter is 7 and 1 with his lone loss back in 2010. In 2012 Poulter was a perfect 4 and 0 leading the Euro’s to a come from behind win. Poulter seems to thrive when the Ryder Cup comes around and is always tough to beat. It’s like he turns on another switch when the Cups on the line.
Poulter will act as the vocal part for the Euro team and make it real hard on the Americans.
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