Patriotic Punt On Ryder Cup

Europe are set to start as odds-on favourites to win the Ryder Cup for the first time.

After two days during which money poured in for USA to win, bookmakers William Hill say that they have seen a big patriotic plunge on Europe.

"Over 80% of the cash we have seen today has been for Europe to win" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. "It now seems certain that Ian Woosnam's team will go into the opening hole of the event as odds-on favourites - the first time that has been the case."

William Hill also report support for British members of the Ryder Cup team winning the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award, and make Darren Clarke 8/1 joint third favourite, with Colin Montgomerie 14/1; Luke Donald 33/1; Lee Westwood and David Howell both 40/1. Zara Phillips is currentl 5/4 favourite with Andy Murray at 7/2 and Monty Panesar 8/1.

William Hill make Europe 10/11 favourites, with the Americans 11/10 and the tie a 9/1 chance.

Tiger Woods is 66/1 with William Hill to score a hole in one during the Ryder Cup - and they offer 3/1 that anyone will do so, 2/9 that no-one does so.

Tiger Woods is 5/2 favourite to top score for the Americans and 4/1 favourite to be overall top scorer in the tournament with William Hill who make Sergio Garcia 9/2 favourite to top score for Europe and 9/1 to do so overall.