Ryder Cup Preview: Europe Ready to Beat USA

The greatest rivalry in Golf gets renewed this weekend as Celtic Manor in Wales plays host to the Ryder Cup.

Oh captain, my captain
Team USA stormed to victory at Valhalla in 2008 but don’t expect that same kind of domination in Celtic Manor. There are big changes on the US team from the one that won two years ago. Paul Azinger is no longer captain for Team USA and that could prove damaging tactically. While Corey Pavin is an able replacement, we won’t know if he can match Azinger’s vision until after the tournament ends on Sunday. Azinger revolutionized the Ryder Cup in 2008. He took a more strategic approach to his Captain’s picks and placed his team of 12 players into 3 pods of four players, mimicking how teams of Navy Seals operate. Pavin’s Captain’s selections are far more conservative by comparison.

By contrast, Europe has selected a heavy hitter to lead their charges. Colin Montgomerie, or Monty like the great general, ignored press criticism and took a ruthless approach to his Captain’s selections. Always forthright, Monty made his picks based solely on how his additions would fit into the team. The most notable selection for Golf betting fans to watch is Edoardo Molinari. The Italian is an emerging talent in the game and partnered his brother Francesco, also on the team, to triumph in the World Cup in 2009.

Montgomerie also knows a thing or two about tactics. In 2002 Monty was sent out first in the singles, despite being Europe’s best player, in order to record a big win and psychologically shake the Americans. It worked as Monty stormed to a 5&4 win over Scott Hoch to inspire a European charge to victory.

Home advantage counts
In the last 30 years, only once has a team reclaimed the trophy on the road. A run of victories almost always starts at home. That’s the way it worked for Europe at the Belfry in 1985, for the USA at Kiawah Island in 1991, for Europe again at the Belfry in 2002, and for the USA at Valhalla last time out. The one notable exception was Europe’s triumph at Oak Hill in 1995 but even there, the United States didn’t win again until the tournament came to Brookline in 1999. Winning at home and defending on the road is the way to build a Ryder Cup legacy. I look at Team USA and I don’t see the hunger that led to victory in 2008. Europe is ready to pounce. Bet on Team Europe at -152 with Sports Interaction.