Ryder Cup Betting – Can Europe Win The 2012 Ryder Cup In America?

In Ryder Cup betting Europe must defend their title on September 25th as they travel to the Medinah Club, Illinois. With Europe having three of the top five players in the world, can they retain their crown on US shores?

Since the introduction of continental Europe to the Ryder Cup back in 1979, the Europeans have a better record, winning eight compared to the USA’s seven. There has been just one draw in the 16 tournaments.

Europe (1985, 1995, 2004) have won just three of the eight Ryder Cups on American soil, while America have benefited from Home Field Advantage with five victories, including last time out in 2008 when they smashed the Europeans 16.5 to 11.5 at Valhalla Golf Club.

Team USA are offered at 1.847* to win back the Ryder Cup, while Europe can be backed at 2.440* to retain the crown and win in the USA for the first time since 2004. The draw is offered at 12.340*, and if it happens it will be only the second in Ryder Cup history and the first in America.

Ryder Cup Trends

The team to win the Ryder Cup is the first to reach 14.5 points, or 14 points to retain the crown in a draw.

Since 1979 the USA have averaged 13.8 points, while Europe hold the advantage with an average of 14.1 points over the 16 Ryder Cups. In comparison, on US shores Europe’s average points tally slips down to 13.8, while the Americans' rises to 14.1.

Can Europe Succeed in the US? Click here for the latest Ryder Cup odds

Each Ryder Cup is contested between three disciplines as the 24 players compete in team Foursomes, Fourballs and single matches. With different dynamics and characteristics needed for each discipline, it is interesting to see the average points score for both the US and Europe.

In all Foursome matches (8 points available) where team play is vital the US average just 3.8 points compared to 4.1 for the Europeans, while in the US the Europeans average point tally moves up to 4.2, and the Americans drops to 3.7.

Much of the same in the Fourballs (8 points available) as the US average 3.4 points compared to Europe’s 4.5 overall, while the Americans perform better on home soil with their average rising to 3.6 and the Europeans dropping to 4.3.

However in singles matches (12 points available) the USA have dominated, averaging 6.5 points compared to the Europeans 5.5 overall, while on home soil their average rises to 6.7 points and the Europeans drops to 5.2.

Best Players in the World to Compete in 2012 Ryder Cup

Trying to understand why the Americans are so strong individually but not so much in team games could be related to how well the big players gel.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are two of the most successful American players of all time, yet working together can prove problematic.

Despite constantly denying any rift, the perceived tension between the two players is always talked about leading up to the Ryder Cup. This could have something to do with why they do so well individually but not so well as a team.

The two teams will consist of nine of the top ten players in the world, with four from Europe and five from the US. Europe however has three of the top five players in the world with Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.

Interestingly in the last eight Majors competed since the last Ryder Cup, the US and European players have won three apiece. But there is no dominant player as there has in past years, with world number one Rory McIlroy winning the most with two, both in the US.

Another intriguing factor is the amount of golf the Europeans now play in America on the PGA Tour. In previous years European golfers rarely played on American soil, however Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Justin Rose play regularly in America and have won four tournaments between them and made the top ten on 20 occasions during the 2012 PGA Tour. Will this give the Europeans an advantage over the Americans, and could USA’s Home Field Advantage diminish?

Captains' Experience Vital in Ryder Cup 2012?

The influence of the captains on the Ryder Cup is also an important factor in who may win the Ryder Cup. Spaniard Jos Maria Olazbal will captain the Europeans, while Davis Love III leads the Americans.

By comparing the two captains records in the Ryder Cup as players shows Olazbal won 20.5 points in 31 matches with a point percentage of 66%, while Love III earned 11.5 points in 26 matches equalling to a 44% point percentage.

Olazbal was involved in three wins and a tie in seven Ryder Cups, while Davis Love III was involved in two winning teams in six Ryder Cups. Can Olazbal’s winning mentality transpire across to the European team in 2012?

By Michael Gales

*Odds subject to change