Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau Ryder Cup Picks, Team USA Favorite Over Europe

Posted on: September 5, 2018, 12:30h. 

Last updated on: September 5, 2018, 11:38h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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Tiger Woods was all but a sure thing to be named to his eighth Ryder Cup appearance, and on Tuesday, US Captain Jim Furyk made it official.

Tiger Woods Ryder Cup odds
Two familiar faces, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, will again be on Team USA for the 2018 Ryder Cup. (Image: USA Today)

Along with the 14-time major winner, Furyk announced Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as two additional picks. Furyk has one remaining selection, which he says he’ll make following this week’s BMW Championship at Aronimink in Pennsylvania.

Woods and Mickelson, the latter who will be making his 12th Team USA appearance, seemed like no-brainers, as the veterans have both played well in 2018.

Sportsbook SkyBet had odds last month on who Furyk would pick, and Woods had the shortest line at 1/14, or implied odds of 93.3 percent. Mickelson was next at 1/8 (88.9 percent).

DeChambeau, who was first out in automatically qualifying, was at 8/13 (61.9 percent). But after winning the first two legs of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the hottest player in golf was assured a spot.

Team USA Favored

The 12-man European team has dominated the Ryder Cup matches over the last two decades, with the squad winning 11 of the 16 events. But Team USA prevailed 17-11 in 2016 to win the international competition for the first time since 2008.

USA appears to be the stronger team in 2018, which is the 42nd Ryder Cup. The eight other players by qualifying points are Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Webb Simpson.

Team Europe currently includes Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, and Sergio Garcia.

USA has six players in the top 10 on the Official World Golf Ranking. Europe has the other four.

The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas believes its USA’s Cup to lose. That’s actually true considering a tie results in the Americans retaining the trophy.

The current odds are USA -210, Europe +175. A $100 bet on the American nets just $47.62, while the same wager on the Europeans pockets $175.

Remaining Pick

Furyk’s last and final pick will be much harder than picking a 24-year-old who just won back-to-back playoff tournaments and two players who have won a combined 19 major championships.

Xander Schauffele is next on the US points list, but the 24-year-old is winless this year. However, bookmaker Betfair has him the favorite at 1/20 to grab Furyk’s final nod.

The two trailing candidates are Tony Finau and veteran Brandt Snedeker.

Finau, 28, is fresh off back-to-back top five finishes at The Northern Trust (2) and Dell Technologies Championship (T4). Betfair has him at 1/10 to make the team.

Snedeker, 37, is the only one of the three who has Ryder Cup experience. He’s also at 1/10 to make the team, which would mark his third time representing America.

Furyk’s decision will be made easier this weekend, as all three tee it up in the third FedEx Cup event. The SuperBook has Finau at 20/1, Snedeker at 60/1, and Schauffele at 80/1 to win the tournament.

Dustin Johnson is the favorite at 8/1.