Okay, you’re all set for the big matchup: The Ryder Cup. You’ve got the big sandwich, the chips and the beer (if you’re over 21). You’ve got the big-screen TV on the wall fired up (or a couple of TVs if you’re also taking in the college and pro football action).
You’ve even got a couple of bucks down on your favorite side to win–the U.S or Europe.
But, before you hit the on button on the remote and settle back and watch, we’re going to tempt you with a couple of prop bets on this week’s event that will give you a little more incentive to keep a close eye on the action.
Even if you’re going to tune into the college or NFL games this weekend, you’ll still be able to keep track on the action at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
As always, we’re going to give out a few picks we like combined with the chance to make a good profit.
Remember, the first two days are comprised of four two-man team battles including foursomes and best-ball. So in all of the betting action, each player on the winning team will receive a point and all four players will receive a half-point if there are ties.
In other words, take into consideration the player you’re backing and who he will be teamed up with. In this event, the longer bettors can wait before laying down their money the more time they will have to check out all of the matchups.
It can be a tough thing to rely on another player to help you win. It’s that much tougher when bettors have to rely on two players to win a bet.
With all of that in mind, let’s look for some value at a variety of online sportsbooks.
Top Points Scorer For Team USA
This one has the best odds…for everyone.
Justin Thomas is the favorite at +700 at BetMGM which is a great number to start with.
There are some factors that will come into play big-time. The biggest one will be: How many matches will your choice play? If you’re looking at one of the rookies, he may play one match each day (there are two sessions each day) and then the singles. If you’re one of the big guns the U.S. is relying on, you just might play all five sessions.
The other big question will be: Who will your choice be matched up against? Once again, the rookies could be in trouble. If one or two of them are pitted against, say, Jon Rahm-Sergio Garcia, it might be a mismatch that could prove costly for your pocketbook.
Our best guess, and without knowing the lineups that’s all these are right now, is to go with Patrick Cantlay at +750. The reason is he’s adaptable to any matchups and situations. He doesn’t get too high or too low and that’s important over a three-day run.
Top Point Scorer Overall
This one encompasses all 24 players taking part this week, 12 from Team USA and 12 from Team Europe.
There’s a lot of firepower all over the board and some decent paydays possible.
But one guy is not getting the respect he’s probably earned over the years. And that’s Ian Poulter at an impressive +3000 at FanDuel. He’s pretty close to the bottom when it comes to odds.
But if you go through the history books and rely on your memory, you’ll know Poulter lives for weeks like this. It doesn’t matter who he’s against, he always has the chance to be a big factor.
If he’s in the lineup for the early matches on Friday and comes away with a point, he may have solidified himself a spot in the lineup for the rest of the weekend.
And the more chances he has to put points on the board, the more he seems to rise to the occasion.
Top Rookie Overall
Nine rookies are in the field (six on Team USA and three on Team Europe) so it’s going to be a tough bet for the simple reason that players react to new-found pressure differently.
Some of them grab it and run and have great success. Others falter and never get on track over the course of the event.
This week we’re thinking a guy like Daniel Berger at +800 on DraftKings is worth a shot.
Berger is one of those guys who isn’t just flying under the radar…he’s not anywhere on the screen.
But the guy simply knows how to step up and hit the big shots when they count. If he starts off strong this week, he could be one of those who you wonder where he came from when it’s all said and done.
Will There Be A Hole-In-One?
During tournament week this is always a fun one to keep in mind. But remember, you’ve got four par 3s this week, but with a limited field of just 24 players the chances shrink considerably.
Maybe that’s why the odds at BetMGM are +800 the first day (two rounds with different formats), +800 the second day (the same two formats), and +650 the final day (all 24 players teeing it up individually).
It’s one of those bets that could pay off early because if you’ve got a teammate on the green hitting before you, it gives you the green light to go after the pin.
But the bottom line is the odds for a pro golfer to make an ace in a round of golf are still around 2,500-to-1 so this bet is one of those you’d love to cash in on–but probably shouldn’t make.
Or at least don’t bet the house on it.
Okay, grab that remote and start cheering as the teams step up to the first tee.
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