International bragging rights will be at stake starting Friday, as the Ryder Cup returns to the United States with the Americans pegged as -185 favorites to win the event at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The biennial event pits America’s best golfers against the top pros from Europe, who are gunning for a fourth consecutive tournament crown this weekend at Hazeltime National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
This year’s edition of Team USA is captained by veteran Davis Love III, who led the Americans to a narrow 14.5-13.5 loss four years ago. Love’s second shot at Ryder Cup glory is bolstered by the presence of two of the world’s top-ranked golfers on the American squad.
Dustin Johnson is sitting at No. 2 on the official World Golf Ranking following a breakthrough season that included his first major tournament victory at the U.S. Open and an impressive win at the BMW Championship en route to second-place finish in the FedEx Cup standings.
Johnson is coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish at last week’s TOUR Championship, but he is a +350 favorite to finish this weekend as the top American player on the Ryder Cup props board.
No. 4 Jordan Spieth capped a difficult season with a 17th-place tie at the TOUR Championship, but he still claimed two wins on this year’s tour and closely follows Johnson at +450.
Jimmy Walker also earned his first major title this year with a win at the PGA Championship, but he has missed the cut twice since and is a long +1600 bet to be the top American at the Ryder Cup.
The Europeans have claimed victory at eight of the past 10 editions of the Ryder Cup, but they enter this week as +145 underdogs.
Team Europe features this year’s other two major champions, England’s Danny Willett and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. However, all eyes will be on Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who is coming off a stunning comeback victory at the TOUR Championship and is +450 chalk to be the top European player.
McIlroy is followed by Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose, who sits alongside Open Championship winner Stenson at +550, while Masters champion Willett trails at +1000.
However, Willett is listed as +300 chalk to claim top European rookie honors, and Germany’s Martin Kaymer leads as a +150 bet to be the top European wild card.
Ryan Moore, who fell to McIlroy in a playoff at the TOUR Championship, is a -110 bet to be the top American rookie, while Rickie Fowler is a narrow +225 favorite to be the top American captain’s pick.
Thumbnail photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
