Ryder Cup: Europe Edges Ahead on Day 1

The bookmakers considered Europe the 8/11 (1.73) favourites before the start of play on Day 1. The main reason would seem to be because the twelve Europeans have the look of a team with more experience across the board whereas the USA look skewed with three or four world-beaters backed up by a long tail of relative Ryder Cup inexperience, not to mention the memory of two major beatings in 2004 and 2002.

At the end of Day 1, despite eight close matches with just a couple of them not reaching the 18th hole, the odds appeared well-pitched as Europe took a 5-3 lead.

Europe can thank good individual performances from Sergio Garcia in particular, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood while the USA saw good work from the likes of Stewart Cink and JJ Henry, while Jim Furyk and Chris DiMarco dug in well. Tiger Woods once again failed to shine but did enough to secure a point with Jim Furyk against Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington in the morning fourballs. However, Montgomerie sank a pressure putt at the end of his foursomes match to secure a vital half point enabling Europe to take an early two point lead and dent the Americans' confidence.

The Day 2 morning fourball pairings have been published, and they are as follows (USA pairings first):

Cink/Henry v Casey/Karlsson
Mickelson/DiMarco v Garcia/Olazabal
Woods/Furyk v Clarke/Westwood
Verplank/Johnson v Stenson/Harrington

This session is pivotal to each team's hopes. Tom Lehman, USA Captain, will be desperately hoping his boys do not come out of this even further behind. On the other hand, recent historical patterns have suggested that Europe needs to take a decisive advantage into the Day 3 singles matches, with USA tending to edge the singles as a rule. Europe will be keen to get ahead as quickly as possible before then.

It may only be a two point lead with just 8 of the 28 matches played, but the bookies have squeezed Europe's odds into, in some cases, 1/2 (1.5), with Stan James offering a best 4/7 (1.57). The USA is widely available at 2/1 (3.0) which seems generous at this stage in a "two horse" race.

Nonetheless, it is understandable that the layers are taking no chances. Quite likely they have taken a lot of home money on the Europeans plus there is a danger the Americans' brittle confidence could crumble. Tom Lehman's demeanour seemed a little resigned at the end of Day 1. Coming off the back of two heavy defeats in the Ryder Cup and now going behind again despite matching the Europeans in most of the individual matches may have a negative effect on some of the team. You get the feeling the Europeans may react better to individual setbacks on Day 2.

We cannot recommend the 4/7 available on Europe at this point in time. However, if you consider that the Europeans could pull away to a comfortable win, Paddy Power are offering 4/5 (1.8) on a European win over 1.5 points.
Another bet of interest is top scorer. Sergio Garcia is available at 13/2 (7.5) with Paddy Power and has been the star so far, securing the maximum two points after two starts. It seems unlikely that this in-form, irrepressible Spaniard will be rested by Ian Woosnam so he must stand a good chance of accumulating more points. In the morning, the successful Spanish pairing of Garcia and Jose-Maria Olazabal will play against Chris DiMarco and Phil Mickelson. Not easy but by no means unlikely that the Spaniards will combine to win. The bookmakers cannot split this one.

There is not much value there but Bet365 are offering 15/8 (2.88) on Clarke/Westwood beating Woods/Furyk, whereas the American pair are at a best price evens (2.0), and 4/6 (1.67) in places. That seems to be based on Woods' reputation but Woods/Furyk haven't been unbeatable at all, while the European pair played extremely well in yesterday's fourball against Mickelson/DiMarco.

The fourball between Casey/Karlsson and Cink/Henry is a straight rematch of yesterday's meeting. That was tied in an evenly-fought match, yet Bet365 price the Americans at 6/4 (2.5). Value-wise, that has to worth considering.

Whatever the individual performances, Ryder Cup 2006 promises the usual high drama and excitement all the way to the end.

Ed note: Free bets worth $100 at Bet365, home of great golf betting

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