Ryder Cup betting tips: Europe underdogs for Whistling Straits

It promises to be another thrilling spectacle despite the holders being at a disadvantage with large numbers of fans prevented from travelling to the USA because of coronavirus travel restrictions, but let’s examine the markets on offer in our Ryder Cup betting tips.

Recent history on Europe’s side

Team Europe have won four of the last five Ryder Cups but were beaten 17-11 the last time the team event was played in the United States in 2016 when Darren Clarke was captain.

This time it is the turn of Padraig Harrington, who selected fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter as his captain’s picks which meant Justin Rose missed out.

USA counterpart Steve Stricker had six picks available to him and went with Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Daniel Berger and Scottie Scheffler.

US Open champion Jon Rahm scored one point from his three matches in 2018, beating Tiger Woods 2&1 in his singles match, but is the 15/2 favourite to top the individual points table, with Justin Thomas next in line after a successful three days in Paris where he took four points from a possible five.

Veterans: 6⃣
Rookies: 6⃣
Average age: 2⃣9⃣
Average world rank: 9⃣

The numbers don't lie – this #USTeam is stacked 😳

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 18, 2021

Tommy Fleetwood’s sensational partnership with Francesco Molinari in 2018 gave Europe four points, three of which came against Woods, but with the Italian out of the picture, the Englishman is 20/1 to repeat his heroics and score the most points in what will be a very different atmosphere to France.

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka struggled in Paris but took three points from a possible four at Hazeltine and is 16/1 to score the most points this week but with afternoon naps out of the question it may be best to look elsewhere!

Ian Poulter has cultivated a reputation as ‘The Postman’ who always delivers at the Ryder Cup and it is hard to argue with a 14-6-2 record, plus he is unbeaten in singles with five wins and a draw.

When you remember it’s Ryder Cup week😏@RyderCupEurope pic.twitter.com/vIGNaiKE0T

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) September 20, 2021

Poulter is 11/1 to be Europe’s top points scorer and 9/5 to be Harrington’s top pick in our Ryder Cup betting tips.

In the top European rookie market, Viktor Hovland is the 5/6 favourite, but Shane Lowry could come good at 7/4 after some consistent results on the PGA Tour in recent weeks.

The Irishman had three top-30 finishes at the St Jude Invitational (23rd), the Northern Trust (11th) and the BMW Championship (26th), and he finished fourth at the US PGA Championship.

Whistling Straits is a beast of a course, especially when your ball lands in the wrong place.

Our @JoshSens, @alan_bastable, and @Josh_Berhow show you exactly how difficult playing this course can be. 👇 pic.twitter.com/ONWXgByRln

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 20, 2021

In the overall captain’s pick market, Jordan Spieth is the 9/2 co-favourite with Xander Schauffele having finished runner-up to Jason Day when the US PGA Championship was hosted by Whistling Straits six years ago. Tony Finau finished 10th and he is available at 6/1 in our Ryder Cup betting tips.

In the handicap market, Europe have been given a 1.5 points head start to win at 21/20.

US Open Info

Where: Whistling Straits, Haven, Wisconsin

When: Friday 24th September-Sunday 26th September

How to watch: Sky Sports

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication