/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8840504/151448050.jpg)
The 39th Ryder Cup matches will begin on Friday from the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. Much of the world's top talent will be on display, including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, who are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Davis Love III will head the United States squad, while Jose Maria Olazabal is the captain of the European team. The host United States team is looking to regain possession of the cup, which is currently held by Europe after its 14.5-13.5 victory in 2010. The United States led by two points after the first two sessions that year, but were undone in Session 3, getting outscored by five points. That proved to be the turning point, as the Americans were unable to climb back on top in the final day, despite outscoring the Europeans by two points in Session 4.
Cleveland, Ohio resident Jason Dufner made the United States team, and will be participating in his first Ryder Cup. Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and 2012 FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker are first-timers for the Americans, as well.
Since the Ryder Cup went to the current format in 1979, Europe has won nine events, while the United States has claimed seven.
Follow the leaderboard at RyderCup.com.
For additional coverage of the 2012 Ryder Cup, stay with this StoryStream. And, for news and analysis around the world of golf, be sure to visit SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.