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2021 Ryder Cup Odds, Picks and Preview

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Sep 20, 2021 · 6:08 AM PDT

Ryder Cup celebrations
In this Sept. 30, 2018, file photo, Europe team captain Thomas Bjorn, center, holds the trophy as he celebrates with his team after Europe won the Ryder Cup on the final day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France. The pandemic-delayed 2020 Ryder Cup returns the United States next week at Whistling Straits along the Wisconsin shores of Lake Michigan. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
  • The 43rd Ryder Cup from Whistling Straits in Haven, WI starts Friday, September 24th
  • Team USA is the heavy -200 favorite to win just their fourth Ryder Cup in their last 13 chances
  • See the odds to win the competition and the best bet

After the United States were surprisingly manhandled by seven points at the 2018 Ryder Cup, they’re out for revenge this week. The States will be back on home soil, where they won the 2016 edition by six points at Hazeltine Golf Club and they’re expected to do much of the same again. Just last week, USA were the -190 favorites to emerge with the trophy, and those odds have now shifted further towards Team USA.

American captain Steve Stricker will have to make some tough choices with a bevy of talented players to choose from. That includes Brooks Koepka, who had to withdraw from the Tour Championship due to injury. He’s joined by the lightning rod Bryson DeChambeau, who seemingly brings chaos wherever he goes.

With the matches set to tee off on Friday, can the States win for the third time in their last four attempts when they play a home game? Or will the Europeans somehow defy the odds yet again to prove that they’re a far superior close knit unit?

Odds to Win 2021 Ryder Cup

Team Odds at DraftKings
USA -200
Europe +200
Tie +1200

Odds taken September 20th

American Squad Stacked With Huge Talent

The huge reason USA is such a big favorite is because they have eight of the top-ten players in the world on their team. Europe only has one, #1 ranked Jon Rahm. Of the players that are competing, the States boasts 13 victories in 2021 on the PGA Tour, while Europe has just two triumphs, with Jon Rahm taking the US Open and Rory McIlroy securing the title at the Wells Fargo Championship.

2021 Ryder Cup Teams

Team USA Team Europe
Collin Morikawa Jon Rahm
Dustin Johnson Tommy Fleetwood
Bryson DeChambeau Tyrrell Hatton
Brooks Koepka Bernd Wiesberger
Justin Thomas Rory McIlroy
Patrick Cantlay Viktor Hovland
Tony Finau* Paul Casey
Xander Schauffele* Matt Fitzpatrick
Jordan Spieth* Lee Westwood
Harris English* Shane Lowry*
Daniel Berger* Sergio Garcia*
Scottie Scheffler* Ian Poulter*

*Denotes Captain’s Pick

Should Europe Be the Underdog?

It feels like every Ryder Cup, the Americans are favored to win. There’s just something about the underdog mentality and team camaraderie from the Euros that allows them to play better. The last three competitions haven’t been close, with Europe taking four of the last five.

Past Ryder Cup Results

Team USA
VS
Team Europe
2018 Won by 7 pts
Won by 6 pts 2016
2014 Won by 5 pts
2012 Won by 1 pt
2010 Won by 1 pt

USA Will Overpower Europe

Despite often falling flat in the Ryder Cup matches, this American squad has far too many talented players that offer a lot to their team. The Europeans have some great players of yesteryear in Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, but they’re quite a bit long in the tooth to expect them to all click this week. At least on paper.

Half of the European contingent haven’t won anywhere in the world in 2021, while Scottie Scheffler is the lone American yet to claim a title. He did, however, make it all the way to the final of the WGC-Match Play. Even though the States have disappointed too much recently, they have been better on home soil where they can set up the course to their liking.

  • Pick: United States (-200)
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