Ryder Cup 2016 preview: USA out for revenge

The 41st instalment of the Ryder Cup between United States and Europe gets underway at the Hazeltine National in Minnesota on Friday and promises once again to be one of the sporting highlights of the year, with live text coverage available on Digital Look from tee-off on Friday through to the roaring finish on Sunday night.

Two years ago in Gleneagles, Europe cantered home with a comfortable 6½-11½ point win under captain Paul McGinley, but USA are favourites with the bookies in 2016. Some bookies are currently offering 6/4 on a European victory.

This time, Davis Love III captains the US team as they search for revenge in the biennial golfing matchplay feast, especially as he was so close to grabbing a win before the 'Miracle of Medinah' in 2012, while volatile Northern Irishman Darren Clarke will be looking to continue Europe's run of victories.

Ryder Cup match play format

Four foursome matches and four fourball matches are played on each the first two days, Friday and Saturday. Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a draw worth a 1/2 point to each side.

In foursomes, each player takes alternate shots, with the team taking the least number of shots winning that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

In fourballs, each player has one ball - so there will be four balls in play at any one time. The player with the lowest score among the four match players wins the hole for his team.

The action will conclude on Sunday with twelve singles matches, commencing at 17:04 BST. For the US to win the Ryder Cup outright, they must collect 14 and a half of the 28 points available over the three days, while Europe only needs 14 as in the case of a draw they would retain the trophy.

Team preview: USA

The US team will be hellbent on winning back the trophy they last won at the Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky in 2008, and the bookies' favourites have a good chance to be heroes at Halzeltine.

Captain Davis Love III has trusted experience over youth, with his wild card picks comprising a seasoned cup trio of Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler and JB Holmes.

Phil Mickelson says the US have attempted to ape the European model for success by creating player and leadership continuity.

US one to watch - JB Holmes

The world number 21, who has a chunk of his own skull on the mantlepiece at home after crucial brain surgery five years ago, was also the man who famously ended Lee Westwood's unbeaten run in 2008.

He was outstanding last time the US won the trophy in 2008, has an unbeaten Ryder record and his proficient long game could be a perfect match for match-play at Hazeltine.

Team preview: Europe

A European team led by the 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke aims to continue its recent dominance in the series by making it seven cup wins out of eight.

But will the six Europeans making their debut in the competition be able to handle the pressure cooker atmosphere that only a Ryder Cup weekend can generate? Rookies Rafa Cabrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Thomas Pieters, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and Chris Wood will have to show their mettle if they’re to negotiate the pressures of a partisan home crowd, even further geed-up by some cheeky comments from opposition supporters in recent weeks.

The more experienced members of the team, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Rio Olympic champion Justin Rose among others, will surely need to take the Ryder bull by its horns by providing leadership on and off the course if Europe are to prevail once again.

European one to watch - Rory McIlroy

Victory at last weekend’s Tour Championship and the Deutsche Bank Championship earlier this month have reignited hopes that the 27-year-old Northern Irelander can galvanise the Europeans by recapturing the form that saw him win four major titles between 2011 and 2014. ‘RMc’ is desperate to win for his captain and countryman Clarke.

Betting odds

There are myriad ways to bet, and get some skin in the game as the drama unfolds: you can not only bet on the ultimate winner of the trophy, bet on the winner of each day, choose the correct final score, the correct score on each day, the margin of victory, correct scores for each segment or the sequence of which team will win each day, as well as many more.

There are also individual team member bets. Tipsters at Golf Monthly, for example suggested US player Patrick Reed to be top combined points scorer at 12/1 after his superb season and potential to be used an awful lot by skipper Love; or for the Europeans, Lee Westwood offers good odds at 25/1, as a calm old hand amid the raft of rookies.

Dave Tindall at Betfair liked the look of Rory Mac or Martin Kaymer due to good form on the Hazeltine course.

He also likes a handicap bet on the US team, where the Americans are trading at 2.20 on Betfair and he has "a sneaking suspicion the Americans have a big win in them soon".

Course preview