Golf: Ryder Cup 2014 Betting Preview – Who Will Win 40th Edition?

The biggest event of the golfing calendar gets underway at Gleneagles this Friday and fans of the sport will be salivating at the prospect of three days of thrilling drama.

Following an unprecedented fightback from Europe in 2012, the anticipation levels for this year’s contest are at a all time high. Prepare yourselves for some gripping entertainment.

Europe Favourites To Complete Hat-Trick

The hosts are much fancied to claim the title in Scotland and it is a duo from the United Kingdom who could fire Europe to a third straight triumph.

All eyes have been on Rory McIlroy and the Northern Irishman has enjoyed a simply phenomenal 2014, winning both the Open and PGA Championship events as well as the WGC-Bridgstone Invitational. This has been Wee-Mac’s most consistent season on the tour and the Scottish crowd will be urging to see the 25-year-old icon lead Europe to success here.

Another Irishman, Paul McGinley will skipper the side and the 47-year-old will be eager to perform in a competition which has been very kind to him in the past. Back in 2002, he hit the winning put for Europe at the Belfrey and leading the side to victory would be another huge achievement for the first ever Irish captain.

English fans will also be excited to see 2012 hero Ian Poulter in action. The eccentric 38-year-old is one of Europe’s wildcards and there is no doubt that the event will be better for his inclusion. It is crazy to think that the Hertfordshire-born star hasn’t won a single major in his career, but he tends to come alive at he Ryder Cup and embodies everything that is brilliant about this particular competition.

It would be fitting for him to play a major role at the 40^th event.

United States Looking To Rickie Fowler For Inspiration

If McIlroy is the young hero for Europe then Fowler is definitely the U.S counterpart. The 25-year-old has yet to win a major but 2014 saw him register his best finishes in all four events, coming in the top five in each. If he can transfer that level of consistency to this event the underdogs will push Europe all the way.

America will be captained by the experienced Tom Watson, who at the age of 65 would love nothing more than to bring the trophy back to the States. Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Mickleson, who won the Open in 2013, and Jim Furyk could also emerge as key members of the team.

The notable absence of Tiger Woods, who is injured, will disappoint some fans but he hasn’t been in good form anyway.

Team USA might enter as the underdogs, but they could be ready to bite back in Scotland.

Ryder Cup 2014 Betting

As previously mentioned, the holders are odds-on favourites to win this year’s event and are priced 8/13 with Bet365. Meanwhile, USA can be backed at 7/4 whilst the draw is 10/1.

However, it is well worth looking around for promotions. For example, new Betfair customers can get odds (max stake £10) of 5/1 on Europe or 8/1 on America by clicking here.

From a betting perspective, in addition to purely sporting reasons, our eyes will be cast to McIlroy. Although there are a number of top players on team Europe, such as Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, it is the Northern Irishman who has the best chance of leading the holders to success.

We’re backing the 25-year-old to be the top European.

The competition was originally America against the United Kingdom but since becoming Europe in 1979, the United States trail 9-7 with one event ending in a draw.

We think Europe will continue their recent dominance by winning a third straight Ryder Cup. However, after narrow 14.5-13.5 wins in the previous two contests, we’re predicting that they will by a slightly larger margin at Gleneagles.