The Ryder Cup- Fri-Sun live on Sky Sports each day
This really could be one of the Epics, while Sky would have you believe everything they show you is the greatest event since Jesus resurrected on the Sunday, this time however their ads may have some substance. With the year Tiger Woods has had, the comments of Rory McIlroy have added more fuel to the fire. Harrington’s pick has also come under scrutiny especially from the English media disgusted with Monty choosing a 3 time Major winner over their two English darlings despite the fact Harrington has won more tournaments than the other two combined. Will he be like Poulter two years ago and prove the best wildcard pick of the bunch? I wouldn’t bet against it and at 25/1, may be worth a dabble.
The weather is forecast to be pretty lousy on Friday with gusty rain that could reach 43mph and that can only suit the Europeans. The K club turned into a monsoon and that more than some inspired Darren Clarke shots led to an 18 &½to 9& ½ whitewash. The weather for the rest of the week looks ok and gives the Americans a real fighting chance if the can stay alive no day one. I’d expect if the Americans can keep it to at least 5&½to 2&½ on day one; they will still be in with a fighting chance.
Who will score the big points? Well Harrington could well get his chance and flourish. A 64 in Paris means nothing while a few Eagles in practise don’t count for a lot either but he is still a very useful player who Monty could well use in 4 out of 5 matches. Another man I’d expect to see 4 out of 5 matches is Graeme McDowell. The US Open champion is likely to be paired with Rory for at least 2 of the matches and perhaps Harrington for the other and I’d have slight preference over McIlroy as he has the Ryder cup experience and crucially won at Celtic Manor this season.
Verdict: Graeme McDowell to be top European @ 7/1
In the overall market, I just can’t get away from USA. I know they may start poorly and perhaps waiting until after the morning session on Friday is the way to play but I will go in now with Betpack as their 7/4 means if it ends a draw I get my money back. A coin toss at 7/4 where if the coin somehow gets stuck in the middle, you get your money back will do for me. Peter Hanson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood (not played since August) and the Molinari brothers don’t inspire me with much confidence. The American team look better on paper and although that never helped them in the past, they weren’t 7/4 underdogs in the past and I can see Rickie Fowler, Kuchar, Mahan, Watson and even Jeff Overton bringing more to the party than Europe’s weaker division. Put it like this.
Sunday Matches- How would you price this up?
Rory McIlroy v Steve Stricker
Martin Kaymer v Tiger Woods
Graeme McDowell v Jim Furyk
Lee Westwood v Phil Mickelson
Luke Donald v Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter v Stewart Cink
Padraig Harrington v Hunter Mahan
Eduardo Molinari v Matt Kuchar
Ross Fisherv Zach Johnson
Francesco Molinari v Rickie Fowler
Miguel Angel Jimenez v Bubba Watson
Peter Hanson v Jeff Overton
I’d make Europe favourites to win 3 of those and America 9. I’m sure you reading this may have another opinion and I won’t reveal which ones just yet. Let you try and guess which. Take the 7/4 my friends. What’s patriotic about cheering on Europe, sure they’ll be running our country soon enough when we declare ourselves bankrupt. Corey's men will prevail.
Verdict: Back USA at 7/4 with Betpack(money back as a free bet if its a tie)
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