United States have the quality to win back the Ryder Cup in what is potentially the best ever staging of the biennial competition at Medinah, near Chicago, this week.
Best outright odds
Sorry, Europe fans, but I think we are all heading for disappointment on Sunday evening when Jose Maria Olazabal’s side face the prospect of heading home without the trophy, but nevertheless with their heads held high.
This will surely be the highest-quality Ryder Cup of all time with every single one of the 24 players in action ranked in the world’s top 35. Indeed, I can only think of Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen on current form who, had they been eligible to play, would have enhanced the array of talent on offer.
The teams simply could not be stronger, but the depth the Americans have in Davis’ dozen is just frightening with so many of their players firing on all cylinders right now.
Just take a look at the leaderboard from the Tour Championship last week. That huge event was won easily in the end by Brandt Snedeker – and he was generally regarded to have been the last man into the USA team!
Also among the top 18 at East Lake were Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson.
Admittedly Justin Rose and Luke Donald finished in the top four, with Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia also performing respectably, but generally the Americans had the edge.
There are various other reasons why the United States should be backed at 8/11 with
Paddy Power or, if you want a better price, Evens to win by two points or more. The main one, which should never be underestimated, is home advantage.
And this is not just because of the crowds, who will be particularly vocal in sports-mad Chicago. While some of the European players thrive in that atmosphere and on those courses, others just do not have huge experience of those playing conditions.
I worry in particular for the likes of Paul Lawrie and Francesco Molinari, neither of whom has ever done much in the States. Lawrie did not last long when he switched to the PGA Tour after his 1999 Open triumph, while Molinari has never really contended in America and his quiet demeanour is anathema to the Ryder Cup.
Nicolas Colsaerts has the personality to relish it so there are no fears about him, but while Martin Kaymer has won the US PGA Championship, the German has had a poor year and his form means he may be little more than a passenger.
Last time the Ryder Cup was played Stateside the home team won comfortably with the likes of Boo Weekley and J B Holmes in their side, and the 2012 vintage is leagues above the line-up led four years ago by Paul Azinger who knocked spots off embarrassing counterpart Nick Faldo.
In terms of captains this time, there should be little between Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal. But on a course that will play to the strengths of bombers such as Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson, the Americans can snatch victory by a couple of points or so.
Recommendation: United States to win on the handicap minus 1.5 points (Evens,
Paddy Power)
