Ryder Cup Betting / Paul Krishnamurty / 12 September 2008 /

Whereas picking the top scoring European at recent Ryder Cups has been pretty straightforward, exactly the reverse is true of the Americans, says Paul Krishnamurty.

The last five Ryder Cups have produced different winners in this market, with Tiger Woods in 2006 the only favourite to oblige.

None of the previous four were particularly fancied, though equally none were rank outsiders - Chris Dimarco, David Toms, Hal Sutton and Scott Hoch were all rated somewhere between [10.0] and [16.0]. Hoch, back in 1997, was the last winner on either side to play in less than four matches, and Dimarco the only other to play less than five.

It's also little wonder Dimarco could win with just 2.5 points at Oakland Hills, and Woods with 3 at the K Club, when considering the scale of Europe's record-breaking victories there. Few people expect another one-sided affair, so I'll be surprised if the winning total is anything less than 3.5.

As with the Europeans then, I'm discounting anyone who I don't expect to play 5 matches, or at least four. 47 year-old Kenny Perry looks a particularly good lay at [14.5], as he will surely sit out at least one session and is likelier to play one match per day. Perry can also be confidently opposed on the basis of his disappointing form over the last few weeks. It's also very doubtful that wildcard Chad Campbell or rookies JB Holmes, Boo Weekley, Hunter Mahan and Ben Curtis will get to play the maximum, even though any one of those five could yet play a key role at Valhalla.

However, while it's obvious which players form the core of the European side, with the US its less clear. One has to assume captain Paul Azinger will rely heavily on the experience of Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard, but none of them have Ryder Cup records that will strike fear into the opposition. In Leonard's case, he's yet to win any of his eight matches. As for Cink, he desperately needs to prove his form after a dire late-summer run.

Mickelson thoroughly deserves favouritism at [6.2], and while his form has been nothing out of the ordinary this summer, I wouldn't put anyone off that price. With Tiger absent, Mickelson is now the main US hope, and taking centre stage might suit his temperament. Furthermore, with Valhalla reported to be devoid of penal rough, conditions should suit Lefty down to the ground. There should be an abundance of birdie chances on offer, with an advantage to the long-hitters.

Apparently Mickelson has been practicing with brilliant 23 year-old debutant Anthony Kim. For me, this emerging superstar is absolutely pivotal to home hopes, and I'm starting with the assumption that he will play five games. Though he can't be expected to carry the same fear factor to his opponents as Tiger Woods, Kim possesses a similar superstar quality on the golf course, capable of manufacturing birdie chances from nowhere and changing the direction of a match.

If Kim is paired with Mickelson, they would make a formidable four-balls team. Alternatively it could make sense to pair him with a contrasting, short and steady type like Furyk. The former US Open champion has successfully played this 'anchor' role alongside Tiger in recent team tournaments, and if not Kim could alternatively gel with attacking rookies like Holmes or Weekley.

The only player not mentioned so far is Steve Stricker, who is respected. Surprisingly, the 41 year-old is making his Ryder Cup debut, but his wider matchplay experience should be a valuable asset. Stricker won the 2001 World Matchplay in Australia when seriously struggling in his game, a performance that has always stayed with me as a lesson in matchplay expertise. However, its far from certain that he will get to play the maximum number of matches, and therefore makes less appeal in single figures than Mickelson or Kim.

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