Looking ahead to 2006 Ryder Cup
It’s that time of every other year again. The United States Ryder Cup team (unofficial motto: The paper tiger will not become an endangered species on our watch) is bound for Ireland in hopes of restoring its good name.
When last seen on the Ryder Cup stage, Team USA was flubbing its putting lines left and right. Ah, the misty water-colored memories of two years ago at Oakland Hills.
Tiger Woods giving playing partner Phil Mickelson the deep freeze. Chris Riley deciding he was too tired to play two matches in a day. Hal Sutton watching his cowboy hat turn into a dunce cap. Underdog Europe 18½, underachieving U.S. 9½.
A landmark Sunday comeback in 1999 at The Country Club is the only thing saving the United States from a five-match losing streak. The U.S. team has such a mangy look about it this time, the Europeans are actually the favorites this week at the K Club.
So how are the Europeans handling all this prosperity?
Well, captain Ian Woosnam has been raising eyebrows — and ruffling feathers — with his secretive, know-it-all ways. Colin Montgomerie publicly second-guessed José María Olazábal for sitting out an event when spots on the team were still up for grabs. When Woosnam announced Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood as captain’s picks without keeping the principals in the loop, spurned Thomas Bjorn went on the attack.
Calling Woosnam “barmy” and “the most pathetic captain I’ve ever seen” Bjorn said any friendship is “completely dead.” Bjorn took particular exception to learning about the captain’s picks on television, adding that he received a belated, roughly 20-second explanation from Woosnam.
One day and one fine from the European Tour later, Bjorn apologized. The attempted Euro tour whitewash notwithstanding, Bjorn has a winning Ryder Cup record and ranks higher than Westwood in the world rankings and the European Order of Merit. Westwood has a winning Ryder Cup record and played a key role on the 2004 team.
Current Odds to win the 2006 Ryder Cup
Europe 5/6
USA 10/11
Tie 37/4
The Europeans have won four of the last five Ryder Cups.
PGA Golf Betting, Open and Championship Golf Lines
Ryder Cup is just around the corner. The top players from the USA battle it out against Europe’s best for ultimate bragging rights. The Bodog Sportsbook is your home for all your Ryder Cup odds.
Ryder Cup Odds: BET on Team USA to beat Team Europe.
