Early 2020 Ryder Cup Betting Odds Favor United States
- Early odds-makers have installed USA as 2020 Ryder Cup favorites
- Recent matches heavily favor the home side
- Who is the best bet to hoist the Ryder Cup?
The United States will look to get back on track at the 2020 Ryder Cup after they were waxed by the Europeans to the tune of a seven-point defeat in France.
The States were favored to win this last edition of the matches but fell horrendously flat, so it’s mildly surprising they’ve been installed as favorites at Whistling Straits in 2020.
Odds to Win 2020 Ryder Cup
| Team | Odds to Win 2020 Ryder Cup |
|---|---|
| USA | -130 |
| Europe | +137 |
| Tie | +1100 |
Home Course advantage crucial to success
It’s hardly a well kept secret that the home team decides the course setup, and that has been a major factor towards determining who will win the Ryder Cup – six of the last seven champions tasted success on home soil.
Recent Ryder Cup Results
| Year | Winning Team | Host Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Europe |
| 2016 | USA | USA |
| 2014 | Europe | Europe |
| 2012 | Europe | USA |
| 2010 | Europe | Europe |
| 2008 | USA | USA |
| 2006 | Europe | Europe |
The reason for this is relatively simple. The States have power players who bomb the ball and make birdies, while the Euros have more precision golfers who put a greater emphasis on par. Therefore, the host country plays into their team strengths in order to win the biennial event.
There could be a shift when the matches are played at Whistling Straits, however, because the course is similar to the ones Europe has dominated.
Padraig Harrington next in line to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain https://t.co/xwyR50JZrI
— The Guardian (@guardian) October 1, 2018
Padraig Harrington is the overwhelming favorite to captain Europe and he went on record as stating “For whoever is captain next time, I think the American players aren’t that happy that it’s at Whistling Straits.”
He also added, “They know they’d have a better chance of winning the Ryder Cup if they went back to a Hazeltine-style golf course, rather than going to a links-style course in the States.”
Three PGA Champions at Whistling Straits not from USA
There might be some validity to that statement, at least historically.
Interestingly, in the three PGA Championships contested at Whistling Straits, none have produced an American champion – although to be fair only one was from Europe (Martin Kaymer).
PGA Championship Winners at Whistling Straits
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Jason Day (Australia) |
| 2010 | Martin Kaymer (Germany) |
| 2004 | Vijay Singh (Fiji) |
Don’t Fall for the Odds on a Tie
Even though +1100 odds are awfully juicy, a tie is extremely unlikely.
In the 42 all-time matches, only twice has the event ended in a draw: 1969 and 1989. Save your money and place it elsewhere.
2020 Ryder Cup Best Bet
The hotly contested matches will become even more contentious presumably with an inspired and motivated Patrick Reed to put his dismal performance at the 2018 Ryder Cup – and subsequent fallout – behind him to replicate his insane 2016 Ryder Cup.
Bank on the States finding a way to set up the course exactly to their strengths to continue the home course advantage trend and get themselves back in the winners circle.
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
