Here’s my player-by-player rundown of Team USA, including their Ryder Cup records and best prices (at the time of writing) to be Top American Points Scorer at Valhalla Golf Club this week.
Phil Mickelson 11/2 Skybet
11 points from 25 matches
In terms of points won, Lefty holds the best Ryder Cup record of anyone in the US team. However, since taking maximum points from his three matches at Oak Hill in 1996, he’s struggled with a variety of partners – won just one of his last seven pairs matches. On the plus side, he’s almost sure to play all five matches and his attacking style will be well suited to Valhalla.
Jim Furyk 11/2 BetDirect
7 points from 20 matches
His play in foursomes and fourballs has been poor, but you can’t fault his unbeaten singles record (four from four), and his experience could prove vital in a side chock-full of debutants. That experience, combined with his accurate game, could make him the perfect foil for the likes of Anthony Kim and JB Holmes. Winless this year, but has been in good form of late.
Stewart Cink 10/1 Stan James
5 points from 12 matches
Finished as the top points scorer for his team last time after winning half his available points, and he remains unbeaten in Ryder Cup fourballs. A superb putter and long driver, he’s likely to play a pivotal role, although his poor form since his winning in the Travelers Championship in June has to be a concern.
Kenny Perry 11/1 Betfred
0 points from 2 matches
Guaranteed his place with three wins in the summer, but his form since has been dreadful. What’s more, Valhalla will bring back some bad memories for him as he lost a playoff here for the 1996 USPGA after assuming he’d already won and done interviews. At 48, he is easily the oldest player on either side.
Anthony Kim 7/1 Ladbrokes
Ryder Cup debut
A Ryder Cup rookie, but inexperience didn’t stop him playing well in our Open and in other prestigious events this year. Massive off the tee and a confident putter, he could well turn out to be the player the Europeans fear most.
Ben Curtis 16/1 bet365
Ryder Cup debut
The 2003 Open champion arrives here in top form, unlike some of his team-mates. He has placed well in five of his last seven starts and is the only member of the American team to have made the top-10 in the last two Majors. Given his current form, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in action on all three days.
Justin Leonard 9/1 Paddy Power
2.5 points from 8 matches
Best remembered for holing a 45-foot putt on the 17th in 1999 to secure the last US win at Brookline in 1999. Remarkably, he hasn’t played in the Ryder Cup since, but he’s a winner on the Tour in each of the past two seasons and his experience will be an asset.
Boo Weekley 20/1 totesport
Ryder Cup debut
Won the Verizon Heritage for the second year running in 2008, but he’s without a top-10 finish on the Tour since June, which has to be a concern for Captain Paul Azinger. Still, he’s an accurate iron player who, unlike some of his team-mates, will feel privileged to be playing for his country this week.
Steve Stricker 13 Betfair
Ryder Cup debut
At 41, Stricker is making a belated Ryder Cup debut, but he has plenty of experience at the top level having contended in both the 2007 US Open and the Open Championship at Carnoustie. Had to rely on a wild-card pick after his form dipped in the summer, but his recent efforts are more encouraging.
Hunter Mahan 16 sportingbet
Ryder Cup debut
Just one victory in five years on the US Tour, yet is still seen as one of the best young US players. Judging by his recent form, he has managed to overcome the fallout from his recent comments claiming that US players were ‘slaves’ for the week at the Ryder Cup. However, if he plays badly, he could well come in for some stick, which is hardly an ideal situation for a rookie.
Chad Campbell 20/1 Skybet
2 points from 6 matches
Missed out on automatic qualification, but thoroughly deserves his wild-card pick on some solid recent performances. Considered one of the best strikers of the ball on Tour, but he’s yet to make an impact in Ryder Cups, halving both of his foursomes matches in 2006.
JB Holmes 20/1 Blue Square
Ryder Cup debut
One of the longest hitters in the game, which probably explains why he was given a wild-card – Valhalla is a monster at 7,496 yards. JB has won twice on Tour (both times in Phoenix), showing mental toughness to beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff back in January, but his final round 81 at the recent USPGA Championships after holding the 54-hole lead does raise a question about his ‘bottle’.
Verdict:
Even at 11/2, I can’t get myself to back either Mickelson or Furyk as neither have particularly good records. Saying that, neither have any of the current team after the recent drubbings we have handed out to them! Still, the value lies elsewhere in the shape of Ben Curtis who, despite being rookie, looks sure to be given a chance to play on all three days given his current form. He’s also attractively priced at 9/1 (totesport) to be Top Debutant.
Recommended Bets:
Ben Curtis (Top American) 2pts @ 16/1 bet365
Ben Curtis (Top Debutant) 1pt @ 9/1 totesport