2021 Ryder Cup Odds, Picks and Preview
By Michael Harrison in Golf
Published:
- The 43rd Ryder Cup from Whistling Straits in Haven, WI starts Friday, September 24th
- Team USA is the heavy -200 favorite to win just their fourth Ryder Cup in their last 13 chances
- See the odds to win the competition and the best bet
After the United States were surprisingly manhandled by seven points at the 2018 Ryder Cup, they’re out for revenge this week. The States will be back on home soil, where they won the 2016 edition by six points at Hazeltine Golf Club and they’re expected to do much of the same again. Just last week, USA were the -190 favorites to emerge with the trophy, and those odds have now shifted further towards Team USA.
American captain Steve Stricker will have to make some tough choices with a bevy of talented players to choose from. That includes Brooks Koepka, who had to withdraw from the Tour Championship due to injury. He’s joined by the lightning rod Bryson DeChambeau, who seemingly brings chaos wherever he goes.
With the matches set to tee off on Friday, can the States win for the third time in their last four attempts when they play a home game? Or will the Europeans somehow defy the odds yet again to prove that they’re a far superior close knit unit?
Odds to Win 2021 Ryder Cup
| Team | Odds at DraftKings |
|---|---|
| USA | -200 |
| Europe | +200 |
| Tie | +1200 |
Odds taken September 20th
American Squad Stacked With Huge Talent
The huge reason USA is such a big favorite is because they have eight of the top-ten players in the world on their team. Europe only has one, #1 ranked Jon Rahm. Of the players that are competing, the States boasts 13 victories in 2021 on the PGA Tour, while Europe has just two triumphs, with Jon Rahm taking the US Open and Rory McIlroy securing the title at the Wells Fargo Championship.
2021 Ryder Cup Teams
| Team USA | Team Europe |
|---|---|
| Collin Morikawa | Jon Rahm |
| Dustin Johnson | Tommy Fleetwood |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Tyrrell Hatton |
| Brooks Koepka | Bernd Wiesberger |
| Justin Thomas | Rory McIlroy |
| Patrick Cantlay | Viktor Hovland |
| Tony Finau* | Paul Casey |
| Xander Schauffele* | Matt Fitzpatrick |
| Jordan Spieth* | Lee Westwood |
| Harris English* | Shane Lowry* |
| Daniel Berger* | Sergio Garcia* |
| Scottie Scheffler* | Ian Poulter* |
*Denotes Captain’s Pick
Should Europe Be the Underdog?
It feels like every Ryder Cup, the Americans are favored to win. There’s just something about the underdog mentality and team camaraderie from the Euros that allows them to play better. The last three competitions haven’t been close, with Europe taking four of the last five.
Past Ryder Cup Results
| – | 2018 | Won by 7 pts |
| Won by 6 pts | 2016 | – |
| – | 2014 | Won by 5 pts |
| – | 2012 | Won by 1 pt |
| – | 2010 | Won by 1 pt |
USA Will Overpower Europe
Despite often falling flat in the Ryder Cup matches, this American squad has far too many talented players that offer a lot to their team. The Europeans have some great players of yesteryear in Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, but they’re quite a bit long in the tooth to expect them to all click this week. At least on paper.
Half of the European contingent haven’t won anywhere in the world in 2021, while Scottie Scheffler is the lone American yet to claim a title. He did, however, make it all the way to the final of the WGC-Match Play. Even though the States have disappointed too much recently, they have been better on home soil where they can set up the course to their liking.
- Pick: United States (-200)
Sports & Entertainment Writer
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 19 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.
