Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The Ryder Cup tees off next week and with the PGA tour taking a break after the excitement of the FedEx Cup, now seems the perfect time to have a quick look at what to expect. For the second time in forty instalments of what has become golf’s most anticipated tournament, the Ryder Cup will be hosted in Scotland, this time at the Gleneagles Hotel. While I will discuss the course in more detail next week, it is worth noting that it has undergone extensive redevelopment in the build-up to the tournament and will offer more than a few surprises for the players and fans alike. Measuring in at 7,626 yards, this par 72 links style course will pose a real challenge to all 24 players participating and I doubt anyone will feel at home here over what promises to be a gruelling four days.
In 2012, the European team stunned the US at Medinah when they staged what must have been one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. Having defeated the US in 2010, Team Europe arrived in Illinois confident that they would be able to retain the title won by a narrow margin two years previous. That confidence must have been severely dented by the end of Day 1 as a stunning display by the Americans saw them take an early lead, a lead which they never really looked like giving up. As the tournament entered its final day, Team USA seemed to be in control, leading by ten points to six and only needing four and a half points to secure victory. Fate was not on their side though as nothing went their way and the Europeans managed to pull off what the media subsequently dubbed the “Miracle at Medinah”. Whilst this is an incredible story and one which will be told for years to come, the real lesson here was learnt by punters the world over who would have realised that there may be a lot of value to be found in backing the outsider on the final day of the Ryder Cup.
Fast forward two years and we are gearing up for the start of what promises to be another riveting instalment of the tournament. In the years leading up to the 1980s the Europeans never really challenged in the Ryder Cup and they were pretty much America’s whipping boys. The tables have now turned and they’ve managed five victories from the last six events, an incredible statistic considering how strong the US PGA tour has become over the past twenty years. This time around, golf analysts are expecting much of the same as on paper, Paul McGinley’s team look to have their American counterparts outgunned. However, things are never as simple as they look and on their day, any one of the American players could beat any of the Europeans. Again, perhaps the value is to be found in backing the outsiders.
The Teams
Next week the feature will be all about the punting but until then, here’s a quick summary of the US and European teams.
Team Europe
Team Europe certainly look to have the Americans covered on paper with a formidable group assembling to participate at Gleneagles. The team consists of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Victor Dubuisson, Jamie Donaldson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn, Graeme McDowell, Stephen Gallacher, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. With the exception of the three rookies, almost every one of these players boasts a Ryder Cup winning percentage of over 50% with Henrik Stenson the only player falling below that mark. Ian Poulter looks the best of the lot with an incredible twelve wins in the Ryder Cup and only three losses. He’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on for Top European points scorer next week. The team looks to be a healthy mix of young and old and seems about as balanced as one could wish for a Ryder Cup team to be.
Team USA
From the beginning Tom Watson has been facing an uphill battle and many are saying that this is the weakest US team to have been assembled for years. It is made up of the following players: Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan. The first thing that one realises when looking at this team is that there appears to be a severe lack of experience. Whilst you have the three rookies who have never experienced the tension of a Ryder Cup, three others have only participated in one and that was hosted on their home turf. A Ryder Cup played on the opposition continent is a whole different beast so Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson are probably in for a rough ride. Two other points are worth noting before we move on. First, Tiger Woods is not playing after he put himself out of contention. Second, Tom Watson chose Webb Simpson to be a part of his team. It’s still too early to say whether or not this was a mistake but the general consensus is that it was a huge error in judgement. Only time will tell though.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Team Europe look like they’re going to win and on paper they have the best team by far. However on Sunday two years ago, Team USA looked unstoppable and look what happened there. The only thing that is certain is that this is going to be an epic tournament. Start thinking about your bets now.
Bet on this tournament now at Hollywoodbets.net! Haven’t got an account? Open one here now!
