Betfair Official Blog

Golf World Cup betting and odds preview

A number of the world's top golfers will be missing from the line-up at the Mission Hills Golf Club in China on November 22 for this year's World Cup of Golf, but that will not detract from the betting markets as it looks to be a wide open contest.

USA, a popular bet as the tournament's most successful nation with 23 wins, will be without the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, the top three players in the world, and that is sure to be reflected in their odds.

Anyone fancying a bet on the Americans ought to note that they last lifted the title in 2000 and go into this event with lesser lights Arron Oberholser and Sean O'Hair, ranked at 25 and 71 in the world respectively.

Germany upset the odds last year with Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem claiming victory in Barbados, their team of Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka is likely though to put them as an outsider in the betting to defend the title.

South Africa are likely to be high in the betting as they appear to have the strongest side on paper. Their two players are in the world's top 20, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman, both previous winners, who are ranked at 17 and 18 respectively.

This may be reflected in their odds but Goosen in particular, has struggled this year and there may be better value elsewhere in the betting.

England are the only other nation represented in the world's top 20 with in form Justin Rose, partnered by Ian Poulter and may attract interest in the betting.

Ryder Cup veterans Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jiminez will feature for Spain and their odds could be snaffled up, while Wales' 2005 victorious pairing of Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd reunite and could be worth a bet.