Steve Palmer's Ryder Cup specials predictions & free golf betting tips

Steve Palmer's best golf bets & analysis for the 2021 Ryder Cup.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Golf, 1pm Friday

Best bets

Xander Schauffele top wildcard
3pts 9-2 bet365

Paul Casey top English player
3pts 7-2 general

Rory McIlroy to play five matches
3pts 4-6 BoyleSports

Rory McIlroy top Irish player
3pts 8-15 Hills

Harris English first American out in singles
1pt 28-1 bet365, Coral & Ladbrokes

Daniel Berger first American out in singles
1pt 25-1 bet365, Coral & Ladbrokes

Preview

Xander Schauffele got a new lease of life when he won the gold medal at the Olympic Games at the start of last month and the relieved Californian can build on that success by playing a significant role for the United States in the Ryder Cup.

Schauffele was on a long losing streak before his Tokyo joy, suffering a series of near-misses, but fending off Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama to bolster the USA gold haul has done wonders for his confidence.

Schauffele looks a solid investment at 9-2 to end the Ryder Cup as top wildcard. This is a nine-runner market comprising six Americans and three Europeans. Schauffele must rack up more points than Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, Scottie Scheffler, Harris English, Daniel Berger, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter or Shane Lowry to land the odds.

A place in the opening foursomes alongside his friend and Zurich Classic colleague, Patrick Cantlay, seems almost certain for Schauffele. Indeed, there appears a good chance he will get four matches alongside Cantlay before the singles.

Spieth, who looks booked for action alongside Justin Thomas, is arguably the main threat to Schauffele in this market. Spieth's poor singles record, though, makes Schauffele the slightly more attractive option.

Backing Paul Casey for top Englishman is another eye-catching option at 7-2. European skipper Padraig Harrington does not have many big-hitters in his squad, so Casey's driving prowess seems likely to earn him two fourballs sessions. The Surrey-born star has been so consistent this year that foursomes action is on the cards too.

As the Englishman likely to be employed most by Harrington, Casey may have an edge over Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood.

McIlroy is key to Europe's hopes of improving their fantastic recent record in this competition. Europe have won nine of the last 12 editions, seven of the last nine and four of the last five, but few would give the away side much of a chance if McIlroy was not among their ranks. The Northern Irishman has probably already been told he is playing five matches, so punters should make a beeline for the 4-6 available with BoyleSports about that scenario.

McIlroy should see plenty of action, while Lowry may have to settle for a maximum of three matches, so McIlroy at 8-15 in the two-runner top Irish market also appeals. Lowry uses a different ball to all his Cup colleagues - a Srixon - and Harrington may not give his compatriot the nod for the foursomes.

When Steve Stricker captained the American Presidents Cup team in 2017, he sent two low-ranked rookies - Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman - out in the first two Sunday singles. Stricker opted to load his middle order with quality instead. Harris English and Daniel Berger are the outsiders to be the first Americans out in the singles. Both are worth an interest.

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