Europe set to take back Ryder Cup

Europe set to take back Ryder Cup

Team Europe is picked by bettors and analysts to win the Ryder Cup and extend the losing streak of the Americans on foreign soil when the tournament begins today in Newport, Wales.

Lee Westwood of England and Martin Kaymer of Germany will face off against Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson during tip-off of the sport’s most prestigious biennial team event.

The Americans won the Ryder Cup in Louisville, Kentucky in 2008 but has not won in Europe since 1993.

“I would like to break that and take the cup home with us,” Corey Pavin, captain of the U.S. squad said at a press conference on September 28. “That’s what we’re here for. It has been a long time.”

British bookmaker Ladbrokes Plc. made Europe an 8-13 favorite, meaning a $13 bet would net $8 plus the original bet. The Americans are 13-8 with a tie a 10-1 bet.

The Americans need to score 14 out of a possible 28 points to keep the Ryder Cup while the Europeans need 14.5 points to regain the trophy.

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker will play against Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher in the third match-up, while Matt Kuchar and Steward Cink will take on Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.

The final match would be between Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton of the U.S. and Europe’s Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald.

“There will be a lot of firepower out there, and it will be the guys who make the most birdies who will win,” U.S. captain Corey Pavin said.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Friday October 01 2010, 8:44 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0