menu

26th Sep 2016 | Ryder Cup

Leading Points Scorer: Rory McIlroy

Leading Points Scorer: Rory McIlroy

Played in all five matches on the last two Ryder Cups and can be Europe’s talisman now he's hit form.

The phoney war is almost over and we get down to business on Friday with the start of the Ryder Cup. As ever there’s plenty written and spoken about the event, most of it speculation and almost all of it irrelevant.

When it comes to betting we are best sticking with cold hard facts and although the Ryder Cup can be notoriously tricky to predict Davis Love III is captain again, so we can look at 2014 for clues.

The American team is often criticised for being less than the sum of its parts but Davis Love tried to keep everyone happy at Medinah, every team member playing at least three matches but none playing five.

It will be interesting to see if he persists with this tactic but history suggest he might. Since 2008 these are the players that have played in all five matches over the weekend:

Ian Poulter (2008)
Rory McIlroy (2012, 2014)
Justin Rose (2012, 2014)
Rickie Fowler (2014)

During that period only Rickie Fowler played all five matches for the USA and that didn’t exactly go well as he only picked up 1.5 points at Gleneagles. During the same period Europe have seen five players feature in every match.

Europe’s team is normally comprise of more rookies, as it does this year and it seems the non-playing captain likes to have leaders on the course. The obvious candidates are again Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose and it’s easy to envisage them taking part in five matches.


On the American side it’s harder to see who will dominate therefore in the leading points market it makes sense to side with a European simply because they will play more matches.

After his exploits in the Playoffs (winning twice) and his dramatic victory at the Tour Championship it’s hard to back against Rory McIlroy. His Ryder Cup record is good (6-4-4), he’s in form and is supremely fit, important if you are to excel over a gruelling five matches.

At 8/1 (Ladbrokes) he is a good bet to be the leading points scorer (on either side) simply because he will have more opportunities.

1pt Rory McIlroy to win 8/1 with Ladbrokes
Place Bet Now

Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:15 26th Sep, 2016 but subject to change

Best Free Bets