Golf Betting Picks and Guide: The Ryder Cup (2021)
For the first time in the tournament’s history, Wisconsin will host this weekend’s Ryder Cup as the tradition of the midwest hosting lives on. Captained by Steve Stricker (USA) and Padraig Harrington (Europe), the 2020 Ryder Cup will finally go on as planned after being delayed last year due to the pandemic.
A mix of foursome (alternate shot) matches, fourball (better-ball) matches, and single matches, the format changes each day as much of the strategy involved for the coaches is deciding which players to play where.
Will the United States get the Cup back after losing in 2018? Or will Europe defend the Cup on US soil for the first time since
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Previous Winners of The Ryder Cup
- 2018: Europe
- 2016: United States
- 2014: Europe
Course Preview (Whistling Straits)
Located in Haven, Wisconsin, Whistling Straits is a bombers haven as the Pete Dye-designed course is more than 7,700 yards in length, though it is playing just 7,390 yards this week. Known for its long par 4s, the heavy hitters on Tour will still be able to get there in two.
In addition, the three par 5s are also all reachable by most of the guys playing this week, and expect to see a fair share of eagles throughout the week. One of the more iconic views this week, “The Sand Box,†comes at #11 as the par 4 offers 12-foot deep 65-yard long sand traps with Lake Michigan lurking just on the other side of them.
Relevant Betting Stats
- Driving Distance
- Par 5 Efficiency
- SG: Approach
- Approach: 200+ yards
Outright Betting Picks
Europe (+210 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
While the Americans have and likely will continue to be the trendy pick this week, something tells me this European squad will have something to say about that. Unlike the USA, with just three players with Ryder Cup experience, the Europeans return seven from 2018, and multiple teams will be back in full.
More often than not, the team in the lead after Day 1 is tough to beat, and with Stricker having to essentially guess on the fourball chemistry format for Friday, I give Europe the edge out of the gates. Additionally, this week, three of the top five ranked players are Europeans, including veteran Sergio Garcia who is one of the best Ryder Cup players of all time.
Add in likely the top-rookie in the event in Victor Hovland going for the Europeans, and I love the value currently available for an underdog outright.
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Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.