Ryder Cup 2025 betting tips, free bets and latest golf odds for Bethpage Black

THE waiting is almost over, with the greatest show on tees starting at Bethpage Black in New York on Friday.

The Ryder Cup generates more anticipation and excitement than any other event in golf - and throws up some intriguing punting possibilities as well.

Away wins are as rare as Scottish Scheffler triple bogeys. But could this be the year when Europe ends a run of five straight wins by the home team, all by a margin of five points or more?

With 11 of the 12 players who recorded an emphatic  16 ½ - 11 ½ in Rome back in action for Europe - facing an American team with four rookies and several stars badly out of form - it could be more glory for Luke Donald and his team.

They are 6-4 underdogs. But if you are going to back Europe, do it in the market for them to retain the title, rather than to win the match. That way, you will still be paid out if it is a tie, as Europe will take the trophy home as reigning champions.

The 12-1 available about the tie is not to be sniffed at. The two teams look very closely-matched, with home advantage balancing out the concerns over the American team’s form and inexperience.

But having decided this could be the year for an away win - albeit a tight one - I also think it’s worth having a punt on the correct score markets.

If Europe do win, it is likely to be by a point or two at the most. A 14-½ - 13 ½ scoreline pays around 14-1, and so does a 15-13 win for Luke Donald’s team. It is worth splitting the stake between those two results.

In the top points sorcerer market, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood were both highlighted in this column a few weeks ago, at odds of 18-1 and 12-1. Nothing has happened since then to suggest they do not still represent great value.

USA rookies Cameron Young and Russell Henley, both 25-1 shots, were also put up in the top American points scorer category. But I’m beginning to have my doubts about Henley.

He barely hits the ball out of his own shadow, and he may find Bethpage too long for him. And while JJ Spaun is not the biggest hitter either, I think the US Open champion warrants respect.

He has been one of the most impressive USA players in the second half of this year, and at 20-1 to top the US list - with three places available each way - he has to go on the shortlist.

And in the top rookie market - which takes in four Americans and the sole European newcomer Rasmus Hojgaard - Spaun is an eye-catching 11-2. That could be the best bet of the week.

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It may also be worth having  a couple of fun bets, at small stakes, that will still be in play on Sunday, regardless of what happens on Friday and Saturday - such as the prospect of a hole in one.

You will be lucky to get more than 4-1 about an ace , which seems a bit skinny considering there have only been six of them in the last 52 years.

But there were two at Oak Hill in 1995, and another couple at the K Club in 2006.

It is about time someone made a name for themselves again, and at just 161 yards, the 14th at Bethpage will look very inviting for the world's best golfers.

They will also expect to knock it in close at the 179 yards 17th. So maybe 4-1 is not that short.

And how about a small punt on who will go out first in the singles for both teams?

Scottie Scheffler is inevitably the favourite to lead the Yanks out, at around 7-4. But that is TOO obvious. How about taking a flyer on 33-1 chance Ben Griffin , a winner three times this year, and someone who is not shy about talking himself up?

Rory McIlroy is also expected to occupy the No 1 spot for Europe. And, as with Scheffler, you will be lucky to get better than 7-4.

But I can see Donald opting either for a firebrand like Robert McIntrye - a best-priced 16-1 - or at the other end of the spectrum, a cool head, depending on how the match is going. That could open the door for 18-1 shot Justin Rose .

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