The 2010 Ryder Cup betting fell a little flat, as the day was inflicted with heavy rain and long delays. Still, that doesn’t mean there is not plenty of golf betting action to jump on at the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, Wales. The competition will change format from now on, in order to fit all of the games in. Usually Saturday would have been a repeat of Friday’s action, with four fourballs and four foursomes going. But because of all the time lost on Friday, and no actual match being finished yet, instead for the first time in Ryder Cup history, all of the players will be out on the course at the same time while the foursomes are being played. This is because instead of four foursomes in the Saturday’s second session, there will be six foursomes in action including all 12 players from each team. In order to make up time, the match referee has added a third session in the evening, in which four fourballs and two foursomes will be played. That kind of makes it all a bit more exciting, because there will be so much going on at the Celtic Manor on Saturday.
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So who will this suit and who will have the edge now in the golf betting? European captain Colin Montgomerie insists that he is happy with the revamped organisation of the matches, even though he finds his side down. Europe got off to a strong start in the rain, but the USA clawed their way back into things. The USA hold a two point advantage in the first of the four fourball matches, with only strong pairing of Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer doing the business for the home side. There are still enough hold left in all of those matches for things to really shift, but suddenly Europe’s overwhelming favouritism in the betting doesn’t look quite so solid. The USA will be feeling pretty confident, as Europe came out of the gates blazing, with Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher taking an early lead over Steve Stricker and Tiger woods and holding until the eighth where they lost ground and fell behind at the ninth. Westwood and Kaymer were a couple of shots ahead of Mickelson and Johnson at one point. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell fell behind just before the end of play for the day, but there were signs that McIlroy was really settling into things and enjoying, and come better weather he could have a major impact through. That pairing also held a good advantage after four holes, but the Americans came back strongly in a short spell which turned the contest on its head. So the Ryder Cup Betting, people will be thinking twice about the USA ahead of Saturday’s tee off now, after showing some battling qualities. There is still a very long way to go of course, but perhaps this whole contest is going to be a little closer than one though. Let’s look at the Fourballs in progress and explore the betting options left on those.
Westwood/Kaymer (1 up thru 12) v Mickelson/Johnson
England’s Lee Westwood is the key to this match, picking up three birdies for the cause. Europe have let this one from the second hole, and were three up at one point, but at the close of play were just one up. You expect more chances to come Westwood’s way and there isn’t a player on the European team you’d back more than him. Still worth backing.
Tip: Westwood/Kaymer 4/7 at Bet365
Others: Draw 4/1 at Boylesports, Mickelson/Johnson 9/2 at Ladbrokes
McIlroy/McDowell v Cink/Kuchar (2 up thru 11)
The European pairing really have the talent to grab this by the scruff of the neck, but two late birdies by Cink, swung the momentum the USA way. McIlroy and McDowell will be disappointed at having given up the lead, and they should be able to play with the pressure off, chasing the game. There isn’t a braver player on the European team than McIlroy, who could spark life into this one. Still a lot to play for, but Europe need to come out strong, or it could get away from them.
Tip: Draw 9/2 at Boylesports
Other: Cink/Kuchar 2/5 at Bet365, McDowell, McIlroy 6/1 at Ladbrokes
Poulter/Fisher v Stricker/Woods (All Square thru 10)
This one will probably go to the wire as they closed the day all square. This one which Europe led in right from the off, they just couldn’t build on their one shot lead. The colourful Poulter is key here, guiding the inexperienced Fisher around. It was Fisher who opened the scoring, but Poulter who has carried the can since. They have a little momentum back after drawing level right at the close of play from a Poulter putt. Woods, even though his Ryder record isn’t great, is doing OK, but halving this match would be a good result for them.
Tip: Poulter/Fisher 15/8 at Stan James
Other: Woods/Stricker 5/4 at Bet365, Draw 7/2 at Boylesports
Donald/Harrington v Watson/Overton (1 up thru 8)
The fourth match has been all about Europe playing catch up right from the off. The experience is with the European team on this one, but it is the Ryder Cup rookies of Team USA who have been in good control here. Luke Donald pulled back a hole at the close of play, leaving the USA just one up. Harrington looked great in practice but hasn’t hit those heights yet. Still time for Europe to turn this one around, especially in the latter stages, but Watson’s driving could just give the USA the edge.
Tip: Draw 22/5 at Totesport
Other: Watson/Overton 10/11 at Paddy Power, Harrington/Donald 11/4 at Ladbrokes
Ryder Cup Outright Betting Odds
Despite being a little behind at the close of play, Europe are still favourites at the bookmakers to bring home the bacon as they say. With a best price of 4/5 at Totesport, Europe are still believed to be in the driving seat overall. Team USA, captained by Corey Pavin, who was a bit disgruntled that his team’s waterproofs weren’t quite so waterproof, are best positioned in the betting at BetFred for a price of 8/5. If you think the event will play out as a tie, then you can fetch odds of 12/1 at SkyBet. In the case of the 2010 Ryder Cup playing out as a tie, Stan James will refund all losing outright and correct points bets on the Ryder Cup as free bets.
