Five Reasons Why Europe Will Win the Ryder Cup

With only two days left until the Ryder Cup begins in Chicago, excitement has reached fever pitch amongst golf fans.

The biennial event is always one of the sporting highlights of the year and this contest promises to be another thrilling and close encounter.

Europe are of course the holders after edging out USA 14.5-13.5 in 2010 at Celtic Manor.

Home advantage probably just makes the Americans slight favourites to win the trophy back this weekend, but my gut feeling is that Jose Maria Olazabal's side will be bringing home the trophy on the plane come Monday morning.

Here's the five reasons why.

1) Jose Maria Olazabal will be a Fantastic Captain

The Spaniard competed in seven Ryder Cups winning on four occasions. Perhaps not a record that jumps out as outstanding, but he was one of the most passionate players ever to participate for Team Europe.

He formed a formidable partnership with his fellow countryman and mentor Seve Ballesteros in both the foursomes and fourballs between 1987-1993. In foursomes he only lost one match out of ten.

The spirit of Seve will be evident with his image set to adorn the European players bags over the three days.

Olazabal will use his late friend's memory to inspire his players out on Medinah and that will give the European team an edge over their American counterparts.


2) There are More 'obvious' European Pairings

The key word here is 'obvious'. By that I mean that Jose Maria Olazabal won't have to overly think about who he is going to pair up over the first two days.

The most obvious pairing is the Northern Ireland duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. They are two great players who will complement each other and are crucially great friends as well.

And what about the four Englishmen in the team in the shape of Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.

As they are listed above, those pairings will be extremely formidable. Poulter will be one of Europe's key men due to his passion and his ability to conjure up constant brilliant shots.

Rose is bang in form having finished second at the Tour Championship and is one of the most under-rated golfers in the last few years.

And what about Donald and Westwood, both who have been ranked World Number One in the world. Donald has never been on the losing side in a Ryder Cup and has tremendous experience of American courses. 

And as for Westwood, he must be hot favourite to hit the first shot on Friday for Team Europe. He will be the talisman for Olazabal and his experience and great friendship with Donald will surely deliver points on Friday and Saturday.

3) The Ryder Cup Means More to Team Europe

A bold claim, but one that has been seen so many times over the years no matter where the Ryder Cup has been played.

Picture the scene. A player has a 10ft to go one up with a few holes to play in a fourball match on Saturday evening. It drops, firm in the back of the cup. The player then roars with delight and high fives his playing partner.

I'm convinced that 99% of you are now thinking of a European player making that putt and celebrating on the greens of Medinah.

Europe have won four of the last five Ryder Cups and that is because they come together as a team, while America fall into the trap of playing for themselves.

As the competition intensifies, that attitude could well be prevalent in the American team again.


4) There is Only one Rookie on Team Europe

America may have the home advantage, but their 12 man team features four players that will be playing in their first Ryder Cup.

Now, there's no doubting these players (Webb Simpson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley and Brandt Snedeker) are top golfers, but they know very little about the atmosphere and the pressure that comes with the Ryder Cup.

Contrast the four rookies to Europe's single one Nicolas Colsaerts. Experience cannot be understated at all in a Ryder Cup.

The four afore mentioned American golfers will obviously be backed to the hilt by the home fans but I feel they may well wilt when faced with the likes of Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell who love big crowds and will be pumped up.

5) European Players are Bang In Form

Brandt Snedeker may have walked off with a cool $10m after winning the Fed Ex Cup series on Sunday, but the European players competing this weekend are showing great signs of form as well.

Rory McIlroy has been in blistering form in the last six weeks which started with an eight shot win at the PGA Championship. He followed that up with wins at the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship in successive weeks at the start of September to win two events in the Fed Ex Cup series.

Despite a poor 74 on Sunday at the Tour Championship, there is no hotter golfer in the world right now than McIlroy.

Justin Rose finished second at the Tour Championship so will be full of confidence in Medinah having also finished tied third at the PGA Championship.

Outwith McIlroy, Luke Donald is the most consistent player on tour right now and had another top three finish this week. His putting will be key to racking up the points for Europe in Chicago.

And then you have Paul Lawrie who has had a fantastic comeback in 2012 and recently won the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last in.

Factor in Sergio Garcia's win at the Wyndham Championship in August on the PGA Tour as well as Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter having three top tens in the Majors this year, then you have a European team bursting to get going.


With all 24 golfers playing in Chicago in the top 35 of the World Rankings, this Ryder Cup could see the greatest golf ever seen in the competition's history.

The three days will be full of fierce contests, fist pumps and magnificent teamwork.

But Olazabal's men will just edge it 14.5-13.5 to keep the trophy.