How the Ryder Cup prices fluctuated from opening show through the dramatic final day singles.
We look at how the prices fluctuated from opening show through the dramatic final day singles
The 2012 Ryder Cup witnessed some of the biggest betting swings in the event's storied history as Europe fought back from 10-6 down on Saturday night to snatch victory on a crazy Sunday afternoon at Medinah.
We take a look at how the odds changes over those dramatic three days and Sky Bet's John Rhodes explains how Tiger's missed putt on 18 and concession of Francesco Molinari's had huge significance in betting terms.
John takes us through how the odds evolved and fluctuated...
First show - when?: Straight after Europe edged the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, we quoted both sides at Even Money and went 10/1 for the tie.
In the build-up: All the money was for the hosts in the weeks and months building up to the Ryder Cup and we were offering 8/11 US, 6/4 Europe, 10/1 tie.
Ahead of first tee-shot: When Ryder Cup week started, the European punt really kicked into gear and they were the only side anyone wanted. I pushed the Americans out to an industry-high 4/5 at the off but just couldn't lay them. Europe teed off at a well-backed 7/5, with the tie still 10s.
After Friday morning foursomes: With the opening session being split 2-2, our odds hardly altered - US 8/11, Europe 6/4, tie 10/1.
After close of play on day one: It was a strong afternoon for the Americans and a 3-1 win in the fourballs put them 5-3 ahead. At that point we'd cut them to 2/5, with Europe pushed out to 5/2 and the tie eased to 11s.
After Saturday foursomes: A second successive 3-1 session win put Davis' Love men into a commanding 8-4 lead and we cut them again to 2/9. Europe were priced up at 4/1 with the tie pushed out a further point to 12/1.
After close of play on day two: Europe had to battle hard to share the session 2-2 and it took five straight birdies from the inspired Ian Poulter to win the bottom match. Despite that heroic effort, the 10-6 scoreline meant the US were left needing just 4.5 points from the 12 singles matches to win. That meant we made Love's team red-hot 1/9 favourites, with Europe 8/1 to pull off a famous comeback win and the tie 16s.
Through the final day singles: Europe's rally was a bit of a slow burner. Even after Luke Donald won the top match against Bubba Watson, there was a brief spell where Europe was ahead in only one other match on the course. At that point we made the US massive 1/33 favourites and Europe 14/1 virtual no-hopers. That would prove to be the most extreme of the prices. However, even after Justin Rose's dramatic win over Phil Mickelson had made it 11-11, Zach Johnson then closed out Graeme McDowell to make it 12-11 and the Americans were up in three other matches so we were quoting the US at 1/12. When Sergio won the final two holes to beat Jim Furyk and make it 13/12 to Europe that's when all three results (US win, Euro win, tie) seemed possible.
Bookie v punter
Overall outright market: This was the worst ever result for us in my 12 years at Sky Bet. A huge victory for the punter as patriotism took over and all punters could forsee was a European win. Ollie's men were smashed into on the final day in-play and, even though we were top price all pre-event on the USA, we couldn't lay them at all.
Top European points scorer: Poulter was the 13/2 winner. We kept him onside, but he was still nibbled at due to his unreal Ryder Cup record.
Top US points scorer: Tiger was the 5/1 favourite pre-event while he was 25s to score zero points which nearly happened of course (Woods finished with just 0.5 out of 4). In the end this market finished in a five-way tie with Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Jason Dufner, Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley all finishing with three points.
Novelty markets: These were good. We laid over four halved matches and there was only one; we laid evey player to get a half point, and Hanson and Stricker failed to deliver. All other markets proved fairly lively and interest increased by 250% from the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.
How much do you reckon Tiger's missed putt on 18 cost you? Around half-a-million! We would have made Molinari around 4/7 to make the putt given the circumstances so he was far from guaranteed to hole it.
