Despite Rory McIlroy playing down concerns over the number of potential rookies in Darren Clarke’s European team for the upcoming Ryder Cup, the fact that five such players sit in the nine automatic qualifying places will certainly offer the US team more than a hint of confidence. With time running out until the start of the event at the Hazeltine National Golf Club, the US team, led by Davis Love, are the favourites in the currently Ryder Cup betting. Seven Ryder Cup veterans are in line to return to action once again for the American’s, with the likes of Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar all in danger of missing out.
Masters winner Danny Willett, alongside Chris Wood, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick are all in line to make their Ryder Cup debuts this year, with Clarke facing some difficult decisions regarding his wildcard selections. Despite being 6/4 outsiders to retain their trophy in the Ryder Cup betting from bookmakers Betway, the potential inclusion of past winners Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell could well help to shorten these odds by the time the players tee off in Minnesota. Westwood is perhaps the most likely to feature as a result of his nine Ryder Cup appearances to date, with rookies such as Shane Lowery, Soren Kjeldsen and Andrew Johnston also in contention. For those of you looking to bet on Europe to win the Ryder Cup, keep an eye out on Betway’s website for all the latest team news.
Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods have been names ad Love’s vice-captains for the tournament starting in September, with Woods in particular acting as a key tactician for the American team. Woods has suffered some of his most painful defeats at Hazeltine, and having been given Ryder Cup betting odds of 4/6 on by Betway, the US team will certainly be hoping that the fourteen time major winner can have a positive effect on proceedings this time around.
With Europe searching for a fourth straight victory, it could well go down to the wire this year, with Betway even offering Ryder Cup betting odds of just 10/1 for a draw between the two teams. Although the US team will need a victory in order for the trophy to remain stateside until France 2018.
