by Anton Johan
One of the greatest golf tournaments, the Ryder Cup, is set to begin on October 1st and betting action has reached fever pitch at bookmakers.
Hot favourites to win this year is the European team - for all the right reasons.
Europe has not lost a Ryder Cup golf tournament at home for over a decade - since 1993 - and the team will be doing all it can to retain this record.
Bookies believe that Europe has a much stronger team overall, despite the fact that Team USA captain, Corey Pavin decided to include Tiger Woods as a wild card.
While this ensures that more spectators than ever will have their eyes on this year's Ryder Cup, bookies won't allow Woods' inclusion in the tournament to faze their odds.
As such, the chances of the USA winning this year's Ryder Cup remain 7/4 at sites such as VC Bet and Coral.
Across the board, Team Europe has better odds to win the competition, with Paddy Power and Sportingbet posting odds of 11/1 that the tournament will result in a tie.
Team USA includes players who haven't stood out on the golfing green in recent times, to say the least, such as Woods, Fuyk and Mickeson.
Hunter Mahan has been given odds of 11/1 that he will be the team's best scorer overall.
Mahan's ability to come sixth in the British Open shows that he can adapt to European playing conditions.
Team Europe is much stronger, with players such as Marin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell.
The English Ian Poulter is also one of Europe's top players and is expected to make his mark in the Ryder Cup this year.
