Ryder Cup Odds: Bettors Backing US As Likelihood Of No Fans Boosts Hopes
One of the unexpected outcomes of Covid-19 is the impact it's had on betting patterns for the 2020 Ryder Cup, with 68% bettors since March now backing the United States. This year's Ryder Cup is set to take place in September in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, and it's believed that there's a very high chance that the event will take place without fans.
The fervent crowd scenes we've seen in previous years have had a big impact on the action, with the European team in particuar benefitting from crowds unlike anything else in golf.Â
The US team are -137 favorites, with Europe at a best price of +150, despite winning 2018's competition 17.5 to 10.5. The US boast a strong side with Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Gary Woodland, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods currently in the frame for automatic selection slots.
With such a talented pool of golfers, and the event taking place in the US it's no surprise that our boys are favorites, but the sharps are in agreement with 68% of bets being placed on the American team.
Europe's players have been busy making their excuses with Graeme McDowell saying:
"Standing on that first tee, whether it's in Europe or America, and you've got that partisan feeling among the fans supporting their guys, you've got the noise and the passion. It's the fans that bring the 'X Factor' to the Ryder Cup.
"It would just be very strange, so I hope whatever decision gets made about this year's Ryder Cup is for the good of the tournament, and for the good of what the Ryder Cup has become.
"We'll see what happens, and if we can go ahead safely with fans, let's do it. If it can't go ahead safely with fans, then let's wait a year and do it right."
His comments echo that of Rory McIlroy who has previosuly said that he expects the event to take be postponed until 2021 so that it can take place with fans.
Bettors, just like the European players, have perceived a lack of supporters as being a boost for the American team, so you can expect the odds to shorten as September's event gets closer.