5 reasons Team USA can upset the Ryder Cup odds at Gleneagles
Published:Those golf enthusiasts out there who believe Team USA can stop the Ryder Cup rot at Gleneagles may be in short supply, but we’ve dug out five reasons to side with Tom Watson’s visitors at far more profitable odds.
On home soil, Paul McGinley’s chosen 12 are the 2/5 favourites to retain the Ryder Cup, while Team USA are deemed 15/8 chances.
Before you get too carried away with the form of Rory McIlroy, here are five reasons to back the underdogs.
1. USA’s wildcard picks are in much better form
Aside from European Tour top-10 machine Stephen Gallacher, neither of Englishmen Lee Westwood or Ian Poulter can claim to be in decent nick heading to Scotland.
Westy’s last six finishes include three missed cuts followed by 19, 15 and most recently 57th at The Barclays, whereas Poults has only broken the top 50 once (23rd) in his last five starts.
Meanwhile, for the USA Hunter Mahan won The Barclays at the back end of August, Keegan Bradley has a trio of top fives under his belt this summer and comes off 16th at the Deutsche Bank and Webb Simpson’s T9 at the same event is his second top 10 in three outings.
2. Tiger Woods will not be causing a bad smell
Woods used to be a source of inspiration for America but in recent times has cast a shadow on Team USA with all the baggage he brings.
The last time they won this event Woods was missing again, back in 2008.
3. Watson masterminded last US win on the continent
It may have been way back in 1993 but the last time USA triumphed on European soil was under the captaincy of Mr Watson.
No one knows links golf better than the man who claimed four of his five Open Championships in the bonny land, while in five Ryder Cups as a player he won four and drew the other.
4. Team USA have the most impressive rookie
Jimmy Walker had led the FedExCup standings for the vast majority of the season until very recently.
Three wins and ten top 10s eclipses anything Gallacher, Victor Dubuisson or Jamie Donaldson have achieved this season.
5. European complacency
Complacency killed the crocodile? Well, maybe not, but it could do for Europe. The hosts have grown so accustomed to winning (seven of the last nine) that it’s dangerous.
Hunger for Medinah revenge two years ago will be a potent force at Gleneagles.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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