2018 Ryder Cup: Expert Preview

Course Details

With all four majors and the Fed Ex Cup done, all focus now switches to the Ryder Cup. The 42^nd Ryder Cup will be held at La Golf National, in Guyancourt, France, which is a suburb southwest of Paris and will no doubt be in outstanding condition for France’s first hosting of the Ryder Cup.

With thick rough and plenty of water the par 72 layout measuring 6703m will be a true test, especially if the wind shows its teeth. Team USA leads the overall Ryder Cup 25-13. There have been only 2 ties in Ryder Cup history.

Weather Report

Friday – 23 degrees, sunny, precipitation 0%, humidity 59%, Wind 23km/h

Saturday – 18 degrees, sunny, precipitation 0%, humidity 52%, 21km/h

Ryder Cup Stats

Since 1979 the Ryder Cup as we know it – Team Europe against Team USA – was formed to make the contest a closer contested event than it had been in previous years.
As a result, the Ryder Cup has become one of the world’s greatest sporting events. Every two years, 24 of the finest players from Europe and the United States go face-to-face in match play format.

Theatre, improbable acts of greatness, team cohesion and sportsmanship under the highest possible pressure are on show during three of the most fascinating days in sport, capturing millions of viewers around the globe. Of the 40 matches participated in cup history, USA overwhelmingly lead Europe by 25 wins to 13. However, with Team Europe only forming in 1979, this is a misleading statistic and one many disregard when assessing the modern day Ryder Cup.

Since the introduction of European players, of the previous 18 editions Europe have been the superior team, winning a total of 10 Ryder Cup events, losing seven and drawing one. Notably, Team Europe have been dominant on home soil, winning six and drawing once from nine matches, whereas USA have only won five from the nine editions to date.

Furthermore, the Europeans have been strong away from home also, winning four from nine in what are regarded as intimidating and hostile conditions, while the Americans have only managed two wins and one draw on European soil. Overall, Europe have produced their best golf more often than not, but with Team USA more likely to win at home, the chances of them preventing four European wins in a row is greater.

Ryder Cup Players Current Form Review

Team USA Total Stroke Average: – 1.78     

Team Europe Total Stroke Average: -1.43

Team USA come into the Ryder Cup with their players in better current form than Team Europe. The real test however will be Team USA dealing with playing on European soil and the European crowd. Team Europe are very strong on home soil, winning six and have only lost once since 1979.

Individual Rankings for the 2018 Ryder Cup

Betting Note – When players are paired together for the teams matches, I suggest reviewing which pairing have the stronger rankings.

It is a tall order for Justin Rose to carry Team Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup. Team USA are very strong in the top order this year. The only advantage Team Europe have, is that it is on home soil and Europe have proven to be strong at home, however this year I believe Team USA will overcome this and win the Ryder Cup.