Ryder Cup Betting / Paul Krishnamurty / 21 September 2010 /

Forget patriotism, there are stone-cold, solid punting reasons for backing Europe to wrest back the Ryder Cup from the US says BB golf blogger, Paul Krishnamurty

European golf is on an all-time high
Since the advent of the Race to Dubai, there has been a distinct sense that the balance of power is shifting, with Europe replacing the US as the golfing world's epicentre. However, hosting the big events is one thing, winning them is another and 2010 has seen a significant development in that respect, too.

Following very meagre returns during the previous decade, European Tour players have dominated the big events. The last three majors were won by European Tour players, two of whom are in the Celtic Manor line-up. The World Matchplay final was contested by two Englishmen. Eight European winners on this year's PGA Tour is easily their best ever return.

Team Europe has greater strength in depth than ever before
Gone are the days when the European side included lower-ranking players, without much experience of big events. Think Philip Walton, Philip Price or Andrew Coltart, for example. Such is the abundance of riches, captain Monty faced the ultimate selection headache, able to leave out two world-class, multiple PGA Tour winners in Paul Casey and Justin Rose.

For the first time ever, there are more Europeans than Americans in the world's top-30. Of course, as Walton and Price proved, rankings superiority is no guarantee of success, because matchplay is such a great leveller. Nevertheless, it can only improve their claim.

Home advantage is significant, especially if the weather turns
The home side always enjoys a significant advantage, thanks to a partisan crowd and superior knowledge of conditions. Europe's record in home ties is particularly impressive, losing only once in the last quarter-century and outscoring the US by 16 points during that period. That record probably owes much to the fact that relatively few Americans have made for good travellers, especially in typically British bad-weather. If autumn in Wales turns out to be as wet and windy as usual, numerous US players are unlikely to enjoy the challenge. When presented with such conditions at the K Club in 2006, Europe won by a record margin.

Europe are fresher and should be better prepared
Whereas all bar three of the Europeans have a free weekend to finalise preparations, nine of the US side are 'distracted' by the small matter of a $10M tournament. Indeed, after a month of championship golf, competing for the Fedex Cup, few will have had much time to think about Celtic Manor. There is of course an alternative argument that the busier players are more 'match-fit', but even so they will have very little time to gel as a team.

Monty has the makings of a great captain
Of all the great European players of recent decades, Monty played the role of on-field captain better than anyone. He always came alive in team golf, as a player and a person, in a way we rarely saw when competing as an individual. He knows exactly what it takes to win this cup. His back-up team includes the inspired choices of Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia, two more Ryder Cup heroes who know exactly how to create a determined, united dressing room. I'm expecting to see Team Europe arrive on the first tee in confident, prepared mood, while the US players will have barely arrived in the country.

Paul Krishnamurty says: Back Europe to win Ryder Cup @ [1.74]

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