Ryder Cup Betting Tips
The biggest team event in golf starts on Friday when the USA begin the defence of the Ryder Cup over three days of competition against Europe at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy.
The two 12-man teams are evenly matched in the outright market with Zach Johnson’s American team 23/25 to win, while Luke Donald’s European charges are 26/25 to reclaim the trophy they won the last time they were at home, at the Le Golf National in France in 2018.
A 14-14 tie, which occurred at last week’s women’s equivalent, the Solheim Cup, is a 23/2 chance, and we can expect plenty of ebbs and flows before the final point is secured on Sunday afternoon.
Europe To Win The Ryder Cup
Europe were left with their tail between their legs in 2021 when they suffered a 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits, but they should be better equipped to deal with the American challenge this time, and it should be a lot closer.
Rory McIlroy is expected to provide some inspirational leadership on the European team, and Donald should also be able to rely on Masters champion Jon Rahm and FedEx Cup winner Viktor Hovland.
Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton are an excellent supporting cast, and there are high hopes for rookies Ludvig Aberg and Robert MacIntyre, who won last year’s Italian Open at Marco Simone.
The American team should be strong opponents but they have lost on their last six trips to Europe and in a potentially tight contest, it could pay to side with the home underdogs.
Europe to win the Ryder Cup @ 26/25
Scottie Scheffler to be top USA Points Scorer
It seems strange to think that world number one Scottie Scheffler was a rookie at the last Ryder Cup, but the world number one is a supreme tee-to-green player and his skills should come to the fore in Italy.
The Texan looks a good bet to be the American’s highest points scorer this week as he can build on his performance two years ago when he won two and halved the third of his three appearances.
He seems certain to feature to a greater degree this time - it would be a shock if he didn’t play in all five matches - and few will be able to live with him if his sometimes suspect putting is good.
Even if it isn’t, this is a week when his playing partners can also do their bit, so the 2022 Masters champion looks to have a great chance of leading the American defence.
Tip 2 - Scottie Scheffler to be top USA Points Scorer @ 4/1
Hovland - European Top Points Scorer
Rahm and McIlroy will be popular choices to be the top European points scorer, but the value could lie with FedEx Cup winner Hovland.
The Norwegian stormed to glory in the FedEx Cup this year, and punters should not be put off by the fact he failed to win any of his five matches at Whistling Straits.
Two of those were halved, and he has developed into a world-class player since, so we can expect him to be involved to a similar degree - it is essential to consider how many matches a player may play when playing these markets .
His confidence should be sky high after he claimed that massive prize at East Lake, and he can be the shining light for Europe.
Tip 3 - Viktor Hovland to be top European Points Scorer @ 4/1