Five Good Reasons Why the Ryder Cup Will Stay in Rome
The 2023 Ryder Cup starts on September 25th, when Europe’s finest golfers will again face the might of America’s top players. It is likely to be a closely fought and tense three days of golf played at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, has named Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojaard and Ludwig Aberg as his six wildcard selections. ©GettyImages
In its current format, Europe has an 11-9 lead over the USA with one match drawn. Home advantage has proved a key factor, and both sides have been found wanting on a road trip. Away from home, the USA has only managed to win twice. The last occasion was in 1993 at the Belfry, with one match tied in 1989.
Despite those statistics, the bookmakers favour the USA, with most firms offering a shade of odds-on that the trophy will be heading across the Atlantic at the beginning of October. Europe is generally priced on 5/4 with the top Ryder Cup betting sites. A draw is an across-the-board 12/1 shot.
One in Three Europeans Boast Course Form
Interestingly, the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club has been the home of the Italian Open for the past three years. The European team boasts two winners of the event, with Robert Macintyre lifting the trophy in 2022 and Nicolai Højgaard taking the honours in 2021.
It is also worth noting that Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were runners-up in those years. All are in Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup team. Rory McIlroy is another team member with solid form around the course, so over a third of the European team has an impressive recent record at Marco Simone.
Unsurprisingly, with a busy stateside tour schedule, Team USA lacks experience playing the course, and more than a handful of practice rounds may be required. It will surely give the European side a distinct advantage, even if only psychologically.
This makes the ‘day-one winner’ a market of interest. The best golf betting sites quote the European team on 6/5 to take a first-day lead. In my opinion, this proposition makes plenty of appeal.
Rookie Aberg Can Hold His Nerve
The main headline markets, by nature, are restricted in their variety, but there are many other alternative betting opportunities. The top rookie scorer betting allows for more rewarding propositions, and Captain’s Pick Ludvig Aberg must be taken seriously.
Although he only turned professional in June, Aberg has been gaining the praise of the golf world for quite some time and is a potential star. The former top-ranking player in World Amateur Golf quickly landed his first professional title – taking the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on September 3rd.
The 23-year-old showed impressive nerve in the event – where he birdied four of the final five holes – and that was enough to earn him an invite to join the team. As big as 9/2 to be the top-scoring Ryder Cup debutant, he warrants serious consideration to outpoint the other seven Ryder Cup newcomers.
Ryder Cup Facts & Figures
The Ryder Cup was first played in 1927 when the competition was the USA versus Great Britain. There have been a total of 43 events, with the USA winning 27 matches against the opposition’s 14 successes.
The American opposition became Team Europe in 1979, with the USA dominating the teams’ first three meetings. The European sides have been far more prevalent in the years that have followed, although the latest match-up, in 2021, saw the Americans gain a runaway 19-9 success.
There have only been nine occasions when one side has come from behind to win or force a draw on the final day. Another interesting golfing fact is the largest final-day Ryder Cup comeback margin. It is four points – achieved by the U.S. in 1999 and Europe in 2012.
Tommy Could Scupper Scheffler’s Top Scorer Ambitions
The overall top points scorer market is, unsurprisingly, headed by American Scottie Scheffler. He is the current number-one player in the world rankings. While he must be taken seriously, the Ryder Cup is famed for firing up the competitors far more than in conventional golf events.
The one player who arguably thrives more than any other in the unique atmosphere that the Ryder Cup creates is Team Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood. He is a 16/1 shot to outpoint the field, and with attractive each-way terms on offer (1/4 the odds for the top four), he is well worth taking a chance on.
2023 represents Tommy Fleetwood’s third appearance in the Ryder Cup, and the World Number 15 comes into this renewal in excellent form with six top-ten finishes in his last eight starts worldwide. Providing he has a successful first day, he will be up for the battle and tough to keep out of the points on the second and third days.
There are plenty of candidates for the top USA points scorer, but Scottie Scheffler seems sure to be there or thereabouts in this market. A top-three finish appears highly likely, so at prices ranging from 4/1 to 6/1, he looks a relatively safe each-way selection and can be supported with some confidence.
No matter the outcomes, the 2023 Ryder Cup will always provide some compelling viewing, and with the home fans sure to make a difference, Team Europe can be expected to regain the trophy. Stand by for some thrilling golf action.
