Ryder Cup 2012: I'll beat rivals' brains in - Snedeker

Ryder Cup

  • Venue: Medinah, Chicago
  • Date: 28-30 September

Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live; daily text commentaries on BBC Sport website. Extended highlights daily on BBC Two.

United States rookie Brandt Snedeker will attempt to "beat their brains in" when he faces Europe in this week's Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

The 32-year-old has no previous experience of the biennial event but warmed up with victory in the £6.15m PGA Tour Championship.

The teams

Europe

Rory McIlroy (23, NI), Justin Rose (32, Eng), Paul Lawrie (43, Sco), Graeme McDowell (33, NI), Francesco Molinari (29, Ita), Luke Donald (34, Eng), Lee Westwood (39, Eng), Sergio Garcia (32, Spa), Peter Hanson (34, Swe), Martin Kaymer (27, Ger), Nicolas Colsaerts (29, Bel), Ian Poulter (36, Eng)

United States

Tiger Woods (36), Bubba Watson (33), Jason Dufner (35), Keegan Bradley (26), Webb Simpson (27), Zach Johnson (36), Matt Kuchar (34), Phil Mickelson (42), Steve Stricker (45), Jim Furyk (42), Brandt Snedeker (31), Dustin Johnson (28)

"I'm very, very competitive," said the world number 10. "People don't get that because I'm polite.

"But I'm going to try to beat their brains in as bad as I can."

Europe are aiming to defend the title they won at Celtic Manor in 2010 and have four of the world's top five players in their team, including number one Rory McIlroy.

But the last time the competition was held in the US - at Valhalla in 2008 - the home side secured an emphatic victory.

Snedeker, one of four US rookies, feels the experience of competing against big names on the PGA Tour will help him make life as difficult as possible for the Europeans.

"I have a fun time giving people a hard time," he added. "Especially guys like [USA team-mates] Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods - some of the best guys in the world.

"I feel like sometimes they get a hall pass because they are who they are. I want to make sure they don't get a hall pass and I don't care."

Europe's Ian Poulter is preparing for his fourth Ryder Cup and feels the competition, in its 39th year, is as exciting as ever.

"It means too much to us for it ever to lose that edge," said the 36-year-old. "This event is unique.

"I hate to say we don't get on for three days, but there is that divide - and it's not that we don't like each other.

"We are all good friends, both sides of the pond, but there's something about Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me.

"How can you can be great mates with somebody, but, boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup?"

Thursday, 29 September (all times BST)

21:00-22:30 - BBC Radio 5 live preview including opening ceremony

Friday, 28 September

23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day One

Saturday, 29 September

11:00-13:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day One highlights

23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Two

Sunday, 30 September

14:00-16:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Two highlights

23:00-01:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Three

Monday, 1 October

19:00-20:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Three highlights