Ryder Cup Could Outdo Open In Betting Stakes

A William Hill client based in Ireland has staked the largest ever Ryder Cup bet - a wager of £80,000 - on the Americans to regain the trophy at odds of 11/8.

The daring punter stands to receive back £190,000 and William Hill have now shortened the US to 11/10, although Europe are still favourites, at 10/11, with the tie a 9/1 chance.

"For the first time the Ryder Cup could produce a bigger betting turnover than the Open Championship, we are anticipating that up to £25 million will be gambled on what has become an absolutely huge event in the betting calendar" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Tiger Woods is 4/1 favourite with William Hill to be the overall top points scorer in the Ryder Cup for the first time in his career. William Hill make Jim Furyk 8/1 second favourite and also offer 9/1 Sergio Garcia; 10 Mickelson; Donald; 14 Harrington; 16 Clarke, DiMarco; Montgomerie; Toms; 20 Cink; Howell.