Ryder Cup betting tips: Max Homa set to shine in another USA triumph
Max Homa
As the eagerly anticipated Ryder Cup takes centre stage this weekend, golf pundit Martin Colwell offers us his angle of where the best betting value might be found in this marquee team event.
The long wait is finally over, with the USA looking to retain the Ryder Cup after their ten-point victory on home soil at Whistling Straits last time out, although it’s worth pointing out that the Americans have not won on European soil since 1993.
The format is as it always has been, with four foursomes and four fourballs on each of the first two days, before all 12 players go head-to-head in the singles on Sunday, meaning there will be 28 points up for grabs in total.
The drama will unfold at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, which is a par-71, 7,181-yard course based north east of Rome. It is an undulating parkland course, and its testing terrain could well prove difficult for anyone looking to play all five sessions.
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Unusually for Europe, the course has paspalum grass fairways, with seventy-six bunkers placed around the course, along with some strategically placed man-made water hazards.
The course has thick fescue rough and so accuracy off the tee is as important as ever, while the players must also contend with elevated bentgrass greens with awkward run-off areas.
Europe and USA will be captained by Luke Donald and Zach Johnson respectively, who will be ably supported by five vice-captains apiece, all striving to get the best out of their 12-player teams
Europe
- Lucas Aberg
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Nicolai Hojgaard
- Viktor Hovland
- Shane Lowry
- Robert Macintyre
- Rory McIlroy
- Jon Rahm
- Justin Rose
- Sepp Straka
European players to watch
Tommy Fleetwood has been a top player in previous contests and he has been in great form recently.
Viktor Hovland is at the top of his game at present, and I do not see that changing anytime soon.
Rory McIlroy will belooking to show up, but his value might be reduced as he tends to tee off at short odds in matchplay, while this type of golf suits Jon Rahm and he has shown recent positive signs that should make him hard to beat.
I am unsure as to Europe’s pairings despite what the press are suggesting, and I believe Luke Donald will mix it up unless one pair is going very well together.
Suggested bet: Jon Rahm to be top European points scorer
European players to avoid
Despite being a winner on this course previously, Robert Macintyre is not in great form, and may be outclassed in this company this week.
Justin Rose may also be past his prime now at the top level, while Sepp Straka is a very streaky golfer and cannot be trusted. However, if the Austrian happens to have saved one of his hot streaks for this weekend, then he could be the surprise package.
USA
- Sam Burns
- Patrick Cantlay
- Wyndham Clark
- Rickie Fowler
- Brian Harman
- Max Homa
- Brooks Koepka
- Collin Morikawa
- Xander Schauffele
- Scottie Scheffler
- Jordan Spieth
- Justin Thomas
American players to watch
Brian Harman should relish this course, which is set up to suit his accuracy-over-power approach as well as his dogged competitiveness.
Max Homa has a good record in team competitions for his country and his form is good coming into this week.
Despite their lack of top form in individual tournaments, I do like the pairing of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, and their previous record together is excellent.
Suggested bet: Max Homa to be top USA points scorer
American players to avoid
Wyndham Clark was red hot in the summer and won a major, but his form then drifted off and this event might have come at the wrong time for the US Open champion.
Patrick Cantlay does not strike me as a team player and can start to miss putts when the pressure is on, plus his renowned slow play might be as off-putting for his partner as for his opponents.
Rickie Fowler did win a tournament in 2023 after a long barren spell, but like Wyndham Clark, his form drifted off as the year went on.
Justin Thomas got here by the skin of his teeth, and would not be one I’d be looking to put my house on in the singles.
Suggested bet: USA to win Ryder Cup outright
All prices provided by Planet Sport Bet and could be subject to change
