Ryder Cup Betting: Three live long shots who could make Team USA...

Ryder Cup Betting / Tareq Quiroz / 06 February 2010 /

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John Daly would bring more than a uniquely brilliant golf game to the Ryder Cup

"It would take a very brave man to pick John Daly but the big man would certainly bring some excitement to the US side. Let's not forget, he has a very good record in Europe so would feel very much at home playing there. Come on Corey, pick Wild Thing and let's jazz this thing up!"

TQ has his mind on Celtic Manor and who may make one of Corey Pavin's four (??!) captain's picks, might the Wild Thing be part of the 1995 US Open champion's plans?

One of the bigger headlines towards the end of last season was the news that Rory McIlroy was headings stateside to ply his trade there. I am not sure it is the best thing for him but I have no doubts that he will win tournaments over there. What I am not sure about is the assumption he seems to have made that he will playing against tougher fields in the US.

With the PGA Tour missing its leader in Tiger Woods the difference between that and the European Tour standard is marginal. The US probably has more big events but on normal weeks the level is decidedly average. A lot of this is to do with the drop off in US players in the world rankings. Sure, they dominate the very top with Tiger and Mickelson but other than that there isn't too much to be worried about.

It is this struggle to pick out top US players that has led Europe to be strong favourites for this year's Ryder Cup. They look like a significantly weaker side outside the top few and I am sure Corey Pavin is delighted that he gets to have four captain's picks this year. With a powerful European side assured the US can't afford to carry anyone.

The only certs in Pavin's team are Tiger, Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk. The rest are all up for grabs. A lot will depend on who hits form at the right time during the season. If you can't get in automatically then you need to be catching the captain's eye. Or of course that of one of his four vice captains!

If you are looking for potential surprises in the US team then there are plenty of possibilities. One guy I particularly like is Ryan Moore. He may not be everyone's cup of tea but there is no doubt he has plenty of talent. He got a win towards the end of last year and followed that with a good run of form. I expect him to progress even further and should play his way into the US side automatically.

With the likelihood that some young guns may qualify it could be that Pavin will opt for some stability with at least a couple of his picks. Someone who would fall into this category is Scott Verplank. The solid ball striker has played in both of the last two Ryder Cups on European soil and is the type of player who rarely lets you down. He also has a Corey Pavin style to his game that will surely endear him to the captain. Verplank is not a man Europe will fear but I think he will be on that plane come the time.

A lot really does depend on who qualifies automatically as to how Pavin will mould his team with his picks. I think he would love to see the likes of Mahan, O'Hair and Anthony Kim all make it on their own. However, for me the best of all the young guns is Nick Watney. I am sure that he will play his way onto the side in his own merit but if he falls just short then expect Pavin to make him a pick.

One final thought on the US team: could John Daly make the team? It would take a very brave man to pick him but the big man would certainly bring some excitement to the US side. Let's not forget, he has a very good record in Europe so would feel very much at home playing there. Come on Corey, pick Wild Thing and let's jazz this thing up!

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