Ryder Cup Prop Bets

The European team looks to hold onto the Ryder Cup for another two years this weekend when the competition tees off in Illinois. Here’s a look at the best bets available…

Winning Team: EUROPE (+140):
Obviously, homefield advantage has made the U.S. the favorites this weekend. Medinah is a long track, and U.S. captain Davis Love III will have it customized to help his squad of big hitters. But the teams have split the last four Ryder Cups played on American soil, including Europe’s 18.5-9.5 rout at Oakland Hills CC in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 2004 (the U.S. won at Valhalla GC in Louisville, Kentucky the last time they hosted, in ’08). And then there’s the simple matter of the rosters. Europe boasts the best golfer in the world in Rory McIlroy. And while this is a road match for the European squad, Luke Donald lives in nearby Evanston, Illinois and is basically playing at home (not to mention, Donald is 8-2-1 in Ryder Cup play). Throw in the Cup track records of guys like Sergio Garcia (14-6-4), Ian Poulter (8-3) and Justin Rose (3-1), and the European team has more than enough talent to win on the road.

Leading Points Scorer (Rory McIlroy vs. Tiger Woods): RORY McILROY (-105):
Neither player was particularly sharp in the season-ending Tour championship (Woods finished eight strokes back in T8, McIlroy was T10, one stroke behind him, in the 30-man field), but it’s tough to ignore what McIlroy did over the past month. His putter can disappear at times, but there’s no doubt McIlroy is the best player in this field, and he had no trouble on American soil this year. Woods has certainly enjoyed a comeback tour in 2012, but even in his prime when he was the greatest golfer of all-time, he was never a stud in Ryder Cup play (13-14-2 over six appearances).