GolfCentral Daily: 2012 Ryder Cup Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

Monday, September 24, 2012

2012 Ryder Cup Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

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Top European Points Scorer: Sergio Garcia 13/2

At 13/2 Sergio Garcia looks a good bet to be Europe’s top overall points scorer.

His overall record of 16 points consists of 14 wins, 6 losses and 4 halves to give Sergio a 66.6% win rate from his 24 matches.
Garcia is likely to be used most by Captain and fellow countryman Jose Maria Olazabal and has curtailed his playing build up to be fresh for the matches. Previous Ryder Cups have seen Garcia struggle in the singles with losses against Furyk, Toms, Mickelson, Cink and Kim blighting his record.
On the opening two days however Sergio has only ever lost two matches in five appearances and has never been beaten in foursomes. His record there is eight wins and one half.
One likely foursomes partner for Garcia is Luke Donald. The pair have team up four times and won all their matches. In 2004 at Oakland Hills Donald and Garcia won their two foursomes matches and went to repeat the feat at the K Club in 2006.
Garcia’s recent good form make him a likely pick for at least one fourball match also. With no other Spaniard on the team the most likely pairing there is with Lee Westwood. Garcia has played fourballs with Westwood in three Ryder Cups (2002, 2004 and 2008) winning three points.
If you think Europe will win outright, you can get Garcia as Top Combined Points Scorer for 16/1!
And if still need one more reason to back Garcia here's two. In the 1999 and 2006 PGA Championship's held at Medinah Garcia finished second and tied third respectively.

Session Betting

Foursomes

In the last six matches played in the United States, five opening sessions have been foursome format. In 2004 fourballs were played first with foursomes in the afternoon. Since GB&I became Europe in 1979 Friday foursomes scoring have the USA leading 12.5 to 11.5. Interestingly Europe leads the day two foursomes 14 to 10, meaning they possibly adapt better. In matches held on European soil since 1979 the USA again leads the opening foursomes 13-11, but again Europe fight back strong on the day two foursomes, leading 15-9.
Conclusion: USA To win Day One foursomes, Europe to win Day Two Foursomes.
Fourballs
This is where Europe really excels. Since 1979 in matches held in the USA, Europe lead the day one fourballs 19-9. On day two in fourballs the USA traditionally recover, the score here is 12-12. On home soil Europe have laid the foundation for several of their victories in the day one fourballs, leading by a 15.5 -8.5 and also lead day two by 14-10.
Conclusion: Europe to win Day One Fourballs.
Singles

The stats reflect what most of us already know, the USA are traditionally strong in the singles. In Ryder Cups held in the USA since 1979, the USA lead the singles 39-33 points. The last time the USA lost in singles was in 2004 when the match was all but over heading into the final day. Arguably the most impressive USA singles win came in 1999 at Brookline, where Ben Crenshaw had a feeling and Justin Leonard’s putt against Jose Maria Olazabal is still a vivid memory. Europe’s finest singles performance was surely in 1995 Europe picked up 6.5 points to overcome a 10-7 deficit. With the score at 13.5 to 11.5, it was left to Philip Walton to secure the winning point when he beat Jay Haas.
Since 1987 the USA lead the singles 76.5-67.5, but over the last four staging, Europe have won the singles 25.5-22.5.
Conclusion: USA to win Singles
The Teams
The average age of the European Team is 32. Lee Westwood is the most experienced player with seven appearances followed by Segio Garcia’s five. Both have overall winning records. Nine other players have between one and three years in experience. Nico Colsaerts makes his debut.
The average age of the USA Team is 34. Phil Mickelson has eight caps, Jim Furyk seven and Tiger Woods seven. All three have overall losing records. Four of the team are rookies and the remaining five players have played in two or less Ryder Cups each.

Betting Summary

Day One: Four morning foursome matches followed by four afternoon fourballs.
Day Two: Four morning foursome matches followed by four afternoon fourballs.
Day Three, Sunday: twelve singles matches.
History suggests the USA will win the opening day morning foursomes. In the last eight matches in the USA, Europe have lead after Day One on five occasions. That could mean a comeback in the Day One afternoon fourballs.
Europe usually do better on their second attempt at foursomes and are a good bet to win that session. The Day Two fourballs should again be tight but with Europe leading after Day Two in five of the last eight stagings, they look good to take a lead into the singles.
Day Three is the USA’s strong suit and with the patriotic home support look to be difficult to beat in the singles. The question is will Europe have built enough of a cushion on the first two days to hold out in the singles? Only time can answer that. Enjoy the matches.