Team Europe has won five of the last six Ryder Cups, and it will enter this year’s tournament as defending champions after having won in 2010. Unlike the Americans, Team Europe won’t be breaking in any Ryder Cup rookies, but it will be facing a Team USA lineup that is decidedly deeper.
2012 Ryder Cup, Team Europe: Rory McIlory, Luke Donald headline roster
Captain José María Olazábal has assembled many of the top golfers in the world as Team Europe looks to defend its title.
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Team Europe, though, is stellar at the top. The roster features four of the top five players in the World Golf Rankings: Rory McIlory, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose. The lone exception is Tiger Woods, who currently occupies the No. 2 ranking. Team USA will have a hard time matching that firepower at the top, but there is only one American on its team, Jim Furyk, who is currently ranked outside of the world’s Top 20. Team Europe, meanwhile, features six such players. It will make for an interesting dynamic when the two teams meet at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill.
Here is Team Europe’s full roster, led by captain José María Olazábal:
- Nicolas Colsaerts
- Luke Donald
- Sergio Garcia
- Peter Hanson
- Martin Kaymer
- Paul Lawrie
- Graeme McDowell
- Rory McIlory
- Francesco Molinari
- Ian Poulter
- Justin Rose
- Lee Westwood
