For golf fans it doesn't get any better than the three days
of the Ryder Cup. The 35th staging of this event will certainly
be compulsive viewing, and anyone who enjoys competition should
sit themselves down in front of the TV to watch the action.
For betting purposes, the choice is simple; a US side (who
undoubtedly have the best players) at odds on, or the 'inferior'
(on paper) European side at odds against.
There is no doubt that, in terms, of world rankings, tour
wins, and Major successes the Americans have the better side.
The average world ranking of the two teams is as follows;
America – 18th, Europe – 39th. Such a gap is not
unusual, but this has not stopped the Europeans from rising
to the occasion in the past. There could be several reasons
for this; the fact that the Europeans are more comfortable
with the format certainly helps, but integral to the successes
over the past twenty years has been their team spirit, and
that could just give them the edge gain this week. Not that
the US side will not bond, it is just that there appears to
be more 'natural' partnership options for Bernhard Langer's
team. Not only does he have the pairings that have played
well in previous Cups - Westwood and Garcia are the most obvious
– but there is also the possibility of keeping compatriots
together, namely the five English players, the Irish (three)
and the Spanish (two). Ryder Cup rookies Luke Donald and Paul
Casey were a very successful pairing in the Walker Cup (similar
format) during their amateur days and look a natural duo.
Recent form also bodes well for the Europeans chances. Ten
of the twelve in the team have secured top ten finishes over
the last four weeks, while only six of the Americans have
done so in their respective tournaments. With European qualification
for the team based on the results of the last twelve months,
as opposed to the whole two years between events for the Americans,
this has led to a noteworthy advantage, with several members
of the US team playing well enough during 2003 to make the
team only to struggle for form during 2004 - Jim Furyk and
Kenny Perry are prime examples. Of course home advantage counts
for a lot, and the course is bound to be set up in the Americans
favour, but two of the last four Ryder Cups held in America
have been won by Europe. All in all, there is enough in the
Europeans favour to recommend a bet at 15/8.
In our 'Top Team Points Scorer' markets, a strong case can
be made for Phil Mickelson (7/2) and Luke Donald (8/1). Mickelson,
enjoying his best season to date, has a 70% success rate in
his Ryder Cup matches on home soil, and looks sure to play
all five matches at Oakland Hills. Detroit based Donald has
won twice in the past six weeks, and secured seven out of
eight points in two Walker Cup appearances in 1999 and 2001.
A double on the two pays nearly 40/1!
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