The Ryder Cup is scheduled for next weekend, but the buzz is already in the air with players from both Team U.S.A. and Team Europe ready for the big clash at the Medinah Country Club.
U.S. captain Davis Love III is banking on the home course advantage. "It's going to look like a major championship because Medinah is a big old golf course, with big trees and obviously big tents," Love was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
"It's going to look like a major, but it's going to play probably easier than a major. That benefits our team. We're a long-hitting, freewheeling, fun-to-watch team. And I think it's going to be fun to watch."
As the rough has been brought down considerably and as a result the speed on the greens has gone up.
In the last decade, Europe has dominated the must-watch team event comprising of famous golfers, with them claiming the tournament six times of the previous eight outings.
However, at home the Americans hold the edge. Since 1999, the U.S. has lost the event just once in 2004 at Oakland Hills. It had a lot to do with the thick tough and narrow greens, something that the Europeans like to play on.
The U.S. team consists of Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods. Apart from Captain Love, Fred Couples, Mike Hulbert, Jeff Sluman and Scott Verplank are his assistants.
Team Europe led by José María Olazábal features Nicolas Colsaerts, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood. Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Paul McGinley are the four vice-captains.
The conditions and the home crowds may favor Team U.S., but Europe has Boy Wonder Rory McIlroy in its ranks. With impressive wins on the PGA Tour, the Northern Irishman is certainly the man to watch out for. Besides Nicolas Colsaerts, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood are definitely big hitters of the ball.
Team U.S.A. on their part have Tiger Woods, who may not be having a great season, but definitely cannot be counted out. In fact, Love has actually planned a strategy around him, pairing him opposite Stricker.
However, the puzzle is figuring out which of the four players will warm the benches in the four sessions ahead of Sunday's singles matches.
