Ryder Cup odds are on the board at the bookmaker with Europe a -165 favorite over the United States. Attention is focused on the Ryder Cup this weekend as the PGA Championship is the last tournament for players to qualify. The spotlight has been on Tiger Woods at the Internet bookmaker as he was not among the top eight players in Ryder Cup points.
Bookmaker odds are going to favor Europe regardless of whether or not Woods is on the U.S. team. The European teams looks stronger this year than the U.S. team, especially since Woods is not playing well. The U.S. team will have Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Jeff Overton, Anthony Kim and probably Matt Kuchar and Lucas Glover. Dustin Johnson was just outside the top eight and he was followed by Tiger, Ricky Barnes and Ben Crane. Woods will likely be on the team even if he does not finish in the top eight in the Ryder Cup Standings. Captain Corey Pavin has four captain’s picks and he has said that he will use one of them on Woods.
The Ryder Cup takes place at Celtic Manor from Friday, October 1st through Sunday, October 3rd. The European Ryder Cup team will be led by Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Other players on the European team will be Luke Donald, Eduardo Molinari, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer. It is also likely that Miguel Angel Jimenez will make the team as will Paul Casey and possibly Ross Fisher.
The United States won two years ago when the Ryder Cup was held at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The Ryder Cup is held every two years and this year’s event will be held at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. The location rotates from Europe to the United States and the home team has won the last two events. The U.S. broke a three match losing streak against Europe by winning last year. Europe had won in 2002, 2004 and in 2006. The Ryder Cup begins on Friday, October 1st with morning four ball play followed by afternoon foursomes. Saturday’s play has the same schedule while on Sunday it will be singles matches.