Golf Odds: US Alters Ryder Cup Selection Process, Gives Captain Extra At-Large Picks
Due to the cancellation of events and shortened 2020 PGA Tour season, the United States is changing its Ryder Cup team selection process for this year’s event at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin.
In past years, eight players automatically qualified for the event based on their performance throughout the year and the US captain, Steve Stricker, was then able to make four at-large selections to round out the 12-man team.
This year, Stricker will get six at-large selections and only six players will automatically qualify.
Stricker is expected to make his selections in early September, after the BMW Championship in August. The Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place from September 25-27.
The United States is currently favored to win this year’s event with -137 odds and an implied probability of 57.8%. Europe’s odds sit at +150, and the odds of a draw, which has only happened twice in the 92-year history of the event, are +1200.
It has still not been decided whether or not fans will be able to attend this year’s event. The Ryder Cup is often considered the only event in golf where fans and a home-field advantage can make a difference.
The home team has won each of the last three Ryder Cups. Europe was the last team to win away from home in a 14 ½ -13 ½ victory in 2012 at Medinah Country Club.