USA vs Europe: Stage is set for 2006 Ryder Cup
Finally, it’s here. After all the hype of the past seven years, which has grown to preposterous levels over the past six months, the Ryder Cup, golf’s most prestigious event, is about to get underway.
The biennial contest between Europe and the United States has eventually arrived on Irish soil 79 years after the event first took place and 59 years since Fred Daly first competed for Ireland.
Once the serious business of hitting balls and making putts gets underway all eyes will be on both teams to see who can take home Samuel Ryder’s 17-inch golden trophy. Europe have their strongest team ever and start as favourites for the first time against an American team that is, according to the doomsayers, akin to lambs heading to the slaughter house.
The presence of four first-timers, Vaughn Taylor, JJ Henry, Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich in Captain Lehman’s team has led to suggestions that Europe will trounce their opponents just as they did in Oakland Hills in 2004.
Yet, this is an American team that contains the three highest-ranked players in the world in Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk and Phil Mickelson, and three of the leading money winners on the US Tour over the past few years in David Toms, Chris DiMarco and Chad Campbell. Not to mention 17 major championships to Europe’s two. So the underdog tag is not exactly well-founded.
The battle of strategy between captains Ian Woosnam and Tom Lehman will be secondary to the ones that will take place out on the course and decide the destiny of this event.
Europe’s team is packed full of quality players such as young guns Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and David Howell; Irishmen Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke; two-time major winner Jose Maria Olazabal but it will be Colin Montgomerie who will be the talisman for Europe during the three days of competition.
Current Odds to win the 2006 Ryder Cup
Europe 5/6
USA 10/11
Tie 37/4Â
The Europeans have won four of the last five Ryder Cups.
Ryder Cup Golf Betting, PGA Golf 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 Prediction: Despite the so-called weaknesses in their team, America will run Europe very, very close and while you shouldn’t be surprised if Tom Lehman is smiling from ear-to-ear on Sunday evening, Europe should have just enough to retain the trophy.
