Ryder Cup Betting / Mike Norman / 17 September 2010 /

With not long to go before the Ryder Cup commences, Mike Norman takes a look at Colin Montgomerie's European Team, assessing each player's form and who the captain is likely to pair each player with.

Rory McIlroy (Top Points Scorer [7.0])
It may surprise some that McIlroy is the early favourite to be the European Team's top scorer given that this will be his debut in the event, but the Northern Irishman commands plenty of respect at the head of the market. He formed a strong partnership with Graeme McDowell at last year's Seve Trophy - winning three points from a possible four before going on to win his singles match - and will almost certainly be paired with his compatriot again. He proved earlier in the season at Quail Hollow that he is one of the finest golfers in the world, and if - a big if admittedly - he can bring that form to the table then he will be nigh on unbeatable.

Lee Westwood ([7.8])
Westwood would undoubtedly be favourite in the Top European Scorer market if it wasn't for the serious calf injury that has kept him from the game since early August. He is the team's stalwart having won nine, halved five, and lost just two of his last 16 Ryder Cup matches and will almost certainly contribute more points at Celtic Manor. If 100% fit Westwood will be used in every session, possibly with fellow Englishman Ross Fisher or his good friend Padraig Harrington. But the big question at this stage is how fit will he be and how will the calf hold up?

Martin Kaymer ([7.8])
If you're looking for a world class star, a player with an unflappable temperament, and a golfer in the best form of his career then look no further than Kaymer. Despite being another debutant, the German is arguably Monty's strongest hand at present having won the US PGA Championship last month and the KLF Open as recently as last week. The downside is that Kaymer has very little experience of team golf, and thus trying to work out who he will be paired with is a tough task.

Graeme McDowell ([8.8])
Few players in Monty's team have more experience of team golf than McDowell. In fact, the Northern Irishman first made a name for himself in events like the Walker Cup before showing his love for this format in team events such as the Seve Trophy, the World Cup and the 2008 Ryder Cup where he won two, and halved one of his four matches. A ready-made partner for his best friend McIlroy, McDowell is now also a great individual player having won the US Open in June of this year. My only concern is that he has been largely out of form since that career-changing win.

Ian Poulter ([9.0])
What you see is what you get from Poulter - grit, determination, passion, flamboyancy - you name it, he's got it. In his two Ryder Cup appearances to date he has won five of his seven matches and has a 100% record in singles matches, whilst his victory in this season's WGC World Matchplay proves him to be a magnificent head-to-head competitor. Poulter hasn't been in the best form of late, but his talent and character will see him win more matches than he loses, especially if paired with fellow countryman and PGA Tour member Luke Donald, as is expected.

Luke Donald ([11.0])
Donald is regarded as the solid performer in the European side, someone who will put the ball in the fairway and find greens with regularity, which makes him an ideal partner for someone like McIlroy, Poulter or Harrington. He also has a fantastic record in his brief Ryder Cup career, winning five and halving one of his seven matches whilst always finishing on the winning side (2004 & 2006). He committed himself to the European Tour for three tournaments in early summer and promptly finished second, first and third (at Celtic Manor), and fully deserves his place in the team.

Edoardo Molinari ([12.0])
No one can deny Edoardo's place in the team - The Italian has risen from virtually nowhere to be one of the world's top-20 ranked golfers and is arguably one of Monty's most in-form players. Under immense pressure a few weeks ago he showed tremendous skill and bottle to birdie the last three holes to win the Johnnie Walker Championship which effectively sealed his Ryder Cup inclusion. Although he's never played in such a high profile team competition previously, he has won a World Cup with his brother Francesco, prompting confidence that the pair will overcome inexperience and become valuable members of the team.

Padraig Harrington ([14.0])
This three-time major champion is only eighth in the list to be the Top European Scorer for one reason only - his very average current form. No one disputes the class and never-say-die attitude of Harrington but the fact remains he is winless for over two years now and has a dreadful recent Ryder Cup record, halving two and losing seven of his last nine matches. The other worry I have is that I can't see anyone - Donald and perhaps Miguel Angel Jimenez apart - who Monty will feel comfortable pairing him with. I sense - unless he shows a return to form in the Vivendi Trophy the week before the Ryder Cup commences - that he will sit out some of the first two day's action.

Francesco Molinari ([14.0])
Francesco has been a model of consistency on the European Tour all season long, though his record in the big events is a slight cause for concern. Add to that the fact that he has only ever won once as a professional on the Tour, his continued putting woes, and his inexperience, then it will be a brave man who thinks he will play, and score more points, than most of his team members. However, as mentioned above, he is comfortable partnering his brother Edoardo and his game from tee to green is nothing short of exceptional.

Ross Fisher ([16.0])
Fisher could well turn out to be Europe's star man if - as I expect he will be - he is given the green light to play in all four sessions before Sunday's singles. After a magnificent 2009 he started this year in poor form, and has only found his A game in recent months, finishing second in the BMW International Open before winning the 3 Irish Open. Although making his Ryder Cup debut, Fisher is an excellent matchplay competitor who hits the ball long and straight, rendering him an ideal partner for almost any of Monty's men.

Miguel Angel Jimenez ([20.0])
Just like the vintage wine he so dearly loves, Jimenez gets better with age. And judging by his previous appearances in the Ryder Cup he'll have to, for the Spaniard has an unimpressive record of just two wins from the 12 matches he's competed in. But Europe's oldest campaigner has had a marvellous 2010, winning three times on the European Tour and finishing in the top seven in his last three events. Jimenez will be a towering influence on and off the course and will be a great partner for any debutant suffering a few nerves, though he is unlikely to be a permanent fixture in Monty's line-up.

Peter Hanson ([30.0])
It's a little unfair for someone who qualified for the team in the style Hanson did (top ten finish in the Bridgestone Invitational and a win in the Czech Open) to be considered the weak link, but in stature and world golf rankings that's exactly what the Swede is. He is yet another debutant, and his Seve Trophy appearances hardly inspire confidence that he will do well at this format - just four wins in 14 matches played. On the plus side, Hanson is a player in form and two of his four European Tour wins came virtue of a play-off suggesting he will be able to handle any pressure bestowed upon him.

Recommended Bets:
Luke Donald @ [11.0] and Ross Fisher @ [16.0]

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