Big Gamble on Team Europe to Win Ryder Cup

In the world of sports betting, the Ryder Cup has always been a marquee event, showcasing the best of golf and pitting Team USA against Team Europe in an epic battle for golfing supremacy.

Over the last few weeks leading up to the Ryder Cup, there has been a noticeable shift in the odds, with a huge gamble being placed on Europe to win the prestigious tournament.

With odds narrowing from around 2.5 to 2.0 and over a million pounds having been matched on Betfair for Europe to win the event, it’s clear that bettors are increasingly confident in Team Europe’s chances.

What’s behind this big gamble though and what does it mean for the Ryder Cup?

One of the most significant factors driving the gamble on Team Europe may be their recent success in the Ryder Cup.

Historically, Team USA dominated this competition when it was just contested between the US and Great Britain and Ireland, but the addition of continental European players in 1979 transformed the competition.

This century Europe has won seven out of the ten Ryder Cups contested, including a convincing victory in 2018. Bettors are likely considering this track record of success when placing their bets on Team Europe.

The Power of Home Advantage

The Ryder Cup is known for its unique home-and-away format, which rotates between American and European venues.

This year’s Ryder Cup is hosted by Europe at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy. It is now 30 years since the US won a Ryder Cup in Europe, a stat that has been given a lot of prominence in the media and may have influenced bettors.

Equally, the course has been set up in such a way to favour the Europeans, with tight fairways, long rough and greens that are slightly slower than the Americans are used to. 

Home advantage can play a crucial role in sports, and bettors might be cottoning on to Europe’s superb home record over the last three decades, intimate knowledge of the course and the support of the home crowd as factors that could swing the tournament in their favor.

The Ryder Cup is different from traditional golf tournaments as it involves team play rather than individual competition.

Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial in this format. Europe has historically been known for its strong team bonds, with players from various European countries coming together as a united front. 

This has been evident in recent tour events, with players congratulating each other on successes and rooting for other team members. The camaraderie has been noticeable and stands out from the typical individualism that pervades regular tournament golf.  

This cohesion has been a key element in their recent successes, and bettors may be betting on their team unity once again.

The Form of Key Players

Perhaps more than anything else, the form of key European players may have driven the drop in  Europe’s odds.  

Form is always a significant factor in sports betting. Europe boasts a roster of talented golfers who have been performing exceptionally well leading up to the Ryder Cup.

Players like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood have been consistently competitive in recent tournaments. Combined with the emergence of young superstar Ludvig Aberg and the return to form of players like Shane Lowry and Matt Fitzpatrick, who had been struggling for much of the Summer, has made the European team look like a much more formidable force than they did a few months ago. 

Captain’s Influence

The role of the Ryder Cup captain cannot be understated. Team Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to the team. His leadership and decision-making could prove pivotal in the outcome of the tournament. Bettors might be placing their faith in Donald’s ability to guide his team to victory.

Uncertainty in Team USA

Team USA has faced its own share of challenges leading up to the Ryder Cup. Although they have a roster stacked with talented golfers, there have been questions about team chemistry and whether leaving out top LIV golfers such as Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson could hamper their chances this time. 

This uncertainty in Team USA’s camp could be another reason why bettors are leaning towards Europe.

Conclusion

The big gamble on Europe to win the Ryder Cup over the last few weeks is a testament to the changing dynamics in golf’s premier team event.

Europe’s recent successes, home advantage, strong team chemistry, in-form key players, and the leadership of Captain Luke Donald have all contributed to the shift in odds. 

While the Ryder Cup remains one of the most unpredictable events in golf, it’s clear that bettors are increasingly confident in Team Europe’s chances.

As the tournament unfolds, golf enthusiasts and sports bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see if the gamble on Europe pays off and whether they can continue their recent Ryder Cup dominance.

If you are looking to have some bets on the event, we recommend checking out the Golf Insider, who has made over 2,000 points profit since starting tipping in 2014.