Ryder Cup Day 2 Odds and Preview – Saturday Fourballs & Foursomes Pairing, Predictions and Picks

• The United States leads the Ryder Cup 6-2 after completion of first day play
• Team USA is the massive -1000 favorite to win just their fourth Ryder Cup in their last 13 chances
• See the odds and analysis as the United States continues its quest for their first Ryder Cup victory since 2016

Heading into this iteration of the Ryder Cup, the United States were heavy favorites to emerge victorious, but as is often the case, they struggle with the weight of expectations. After day one, they put to rest those fears at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, taking a commanding 6-2 lead over the Europeans.

It was just the second time in 40 years that the States won the first two sessions on the opening day (2008). It also is the largest lead after day one in 46 years, since way back in 1975. Dustin Johnson won both matches for the first time in the Friday session, and Rory McIlroy lost both matches for the only time ever in a single day in his career.

It could have been ever worse for the Euros, but they were able to scratch out two tied matches in the last two groups for Friday’s Four-Balls. Tyrrell Hatton made a clutch birdie on 18 to tie with Jon Rahm against Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler. Then Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland were able to pick up half a point against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay.

Saturday morning, the matches will again be Foursomes. That’s followed by Four-Balls in the afternoon, where each golfer in the group plays their own ball through the entirety of the hole.

Saturday Ryder Cup Odds

Odds as of September 24th at DraftKings

Europe Needs To Make Up Serious Ground

Even though Rory McIlroy didn’t play anywhere near his typical standards on Friday, it has to be considered pretty surprising that captain Padraig Harrington will sit him for the Saturday morning session. Just like day one, world number one Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia will be the first pairing out for the Euros.

Day 2 Foursomes Groupings

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The American captain Steve Stricker has opted to play the same eight players for the Foursomes session yet again. The only difference is that Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth will be the third group out instead of the first. They swap spots with the duo of Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger.

Since 1979, teams to lead by 3+ points after the second session have won 4 of 5 times. Lone exception was in 1999. #RyderCup

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) September 24, 2021

The United States has struggled in Foursomes historically, but not so on Friday. They won three of the four matches, with the JT/Spieth pairing being the only one to fail to secure a point.

Opening match tomorrow is massive for momentum. If Brooks and Berger can take down Europe's best team of Rahm and Garcia, that would be an absolute dagger.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) September 25, 2021

It’s hard to envision the European squad getting back on track without former world #1 Rory McIlroy in tow, especially with veteran Lee Westwood competing instead. This USA team is so stacked that Bryson DeChambeau isn’t even teeing it up for Foursomes yet again. Expect much of the same in the morning portion Saturday.

• Pick: United States win Day 2 Foursomes (+100)

Europe Could Close The Gap in Four-Balls

When you’re behind by four points after one round, there’s very little positives to take from that if you’re the Europeans. They did, however, tie two Four-Balls matches in the afternoon Friday and lost another in close fashion. Should the USA extend their lead even more in the morning, it would be natural to think there would be a bit of a letdown from them. Further to that, Europe would be scratching and clawing needing to have a prayer for the Sunday singles.

If they find their backs against the walls, expect the Euros to throw out all their elite players and bench any struggling members. Likely, captain Steve Stricker will stick to what worked in the afternoon session again. That would mean the likes of Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay playing their fourth matches in two days, which could lead to a measure of fatigue.

• Pick: Europe wins Day 2 Four-Balls (+230)