Ryder Cup Betting / Tareq Quiroz / 18 September 2008 / 1

Tareq Quiroz is backing Europe to lift the trophy late on Sunday night. Read his thoughts on the action in Valhalla in his full betting preview.

Once every two years I get a bug that I just can't shake and boy do I look forward to it. Ryder Cup fever just sweeps over me and I am powerless to stop myself from cramming in every bit of the build-up that is humanly possible. I stop everywhere that I see or hear any reference to the great event. I buy newspapers that I never buy with the promise of some insight from one of the players. If someone had a barbeque and invited other players I want to know. I want to know it all because the Ryder Cup is the greatest sporting event on the planet.

The Course

The course is every bit as impressive as it should be for the host of such an amazing tournament. Valhalla GC is situated in Louisville, Kentucky, and this fine golf course will prove a suitably tough test for the world's best players. At 7,500 yards it is a long course that will undoubtedly be set-up with a belief that that the longer the better for the US team. If that is the case then it will be the first mistake and possibly the most costly one the hosts will make. Jack Nicklaus was commissioned to design Valhalla and it was clear to everyone it was a great course when it was opened in 1986. Despite its relatively short lifetime, this course has already hosted a couple of majors and now a Ryder Cup. You can expect it to play long, firm and with lightning quick greens. Watch out for the signature hole par-four 13th, it is a cracking risk or reward hole where you may be tempted to go for the island green if the tee is up. Only the brave or well behind will take it on but it will certainly make for exciting viewing.

The Favourite

I never thought I would see the day that Europe would be favourites to win the Ryder Cup on US soil. The remarkable turnaround in fortunes in recent years has seen a huge shift in power. Europe are now the superpowers that are pushing the US around like school kids and you just know that the Americans are seething about that. Many a whisper is that Europe are a little too short to claim victory in Valhalla at current odds of [2.02]. I do understand the argument behind it, but I tend to disagree. The bare facts are that Europe have won the last three Ryder Cups and, truth be known, they haven't been that hard pressed to do so. On top of that, this Ryder Cup team is probably the strongest Europe have ever assembled and the US team is certainly no better than the previous three that got thrashed in 2006, 2004 and 2002. So, Europe are hot favourites but, for me, that position is entirely justified.

The Next Best Bets

If you can't be persuaded to back Europe to win the trophy outright then maybe you can take advantage of some other cracking bets. I have made the same bet for the last seven Ryder Cups and it has only failed to collect on two occasions. Europe to be the leaders after Day One is always a great punt as you just know that the European guys will come out all guns blazing in an attempt to put the US under pressure. Expect Captain Faldo to go in real hard with his ultimate pairings first thing on Friday morning. Do not be surprised to see either Lee Westwood or Sergio Garcia leading the team out, maybe even together. The US will go with passionate pairings and I think this may be misplaced. I fully expect Europe to get off to a flyer and lead after Day One, so get on at current odds of [2.1].

The Massive Outsider

If you are looking for monster prices then the Ryder Cup isn't for you. In fact, shame on you! This is about pride and honour, and of course trying to earn modest winnings at short prices! However, if you really are looking for some big odds with value then the place to be is the Top Overall Scorer market. These things are never easy to predict but you can be sure that it will pay to go with one of the bigger priced runners, especially as the majority of the points come from the fourballs and foursomes. I like Jimenez at decent odds but the one that makes the most appeal is Graeme McDowell. There is every chance he will get partnered early with Harrington and that might just turn out to be a great combo. In a wide open contest McDowell is the man to be on at current odds of [46.0].

Interesting Info

You could write a novel solely on interesting info regarding the Ryder Cup, so full is its past. Importantly, for the future of the event, GB and Ireland extended their team to include the whole of Europe for the first time in 1979. The US had totally dominated until that point. European captain Nick Faldo holds a whole host of Ryder Cup records including most appearances and most points won. You can be sure he wants to add winning captain to that impressive collection. The US team has led going into the final day singles just once in the last 11 Ryder Cups, which incredibly they lost!

So, the time has come. Buckle up and do not move from your screen for three days. There will be ups and downs the likes of which we shouldn't be subjected to but that won't stop us watching. In the spirit in which the course was named you can be sure that this Valhalla will see warriors go to battle and some brave ones will return with the points. I do however feel that the drinking and feasting will have to wait until late Sunday evening, when one overjoyed team will hold the great Ryder Cup aloft.

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1. Vegas Dave | 19 September 2008

   Don't bet against Garcia. The fiery Spaniard has played in four Ryder Cups, posting a 14-4-0 record overall, and he is a perfect 8-0-0 in foursomes.

   Garcia raises his game to another level for the Ryder Cup. Even Tiger doesn't like his odds.

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