Bethpage Black is 29 miles east of Times Square and for three days at the end of this week it will be the focus of as much attention as the iconic New York City landmark on New Year’s Eve.
Instead of tourists flocking to the world famous location known for being the hub of the city that never sleeps with its Broadway shows, dazzling billboards and the glittering ball drop to mark the star of every January, thousands of fans will flock to the golf course at Farmingdale on Long Island for the 45th Ryder Cup.
Europe are seeking to repeat their victory in Rome two years ago when they won by 16.5 points to 11.5 but to do so they will have to repeat their victory in Wisconsin in 2012 dubbed the Miracle of Medinah when Jose Maria Olazaba’s team secured a dramatic win by a single point following a similar success against the United States at Celtic Manor in Wales two years earlier.
The big thing about this conflict is that the New York crowd has to be factored into the equation. Tickets may be $750 a pop, which works out at £556 each, but the crowds are still expected to be wild, boisterous and most likely hostile and obnoxious.
Golf nut President Trump will attend the first day, which will whip up patriotic fervour to the nth degree among certain elements of home supporters, and raucous crowds are another factor which Europe’s captain Luke Donald has to contend with if he’s to become the first man to lead a team to a triumphant defence of the prestigious trophy.
However, while New Yorkers are fiercely passionate about their teams anyone who has witnessed top quality sports in the Bronx or at Madison Square Gardens will testify that they are also quick to turn on even the biggest stars, calling them schmucks, bums and rather less savoury names, if they fail to perform at the highest level and that may be the case if Rory McIlroy and the guys make a flying start to this renewal.
Donald has just one rookie, Rasmus Hojgaard, in his ranks while American captain Keegan Bradley has four first-time participants among the home players seeking glory on home soil.
Russell Henley, Cameron Young, Ben Griffin and JJ Spahn are all fine players in their own rights but Ryder Cup golf is a whole new level and if they do not manage expectations it will make a crucial difference to the outcome.
Ryder Cup 2025 odds
Griffin is 17/4 with William Hill and bet365 to be this year’s top rookie after a breakout year in which he claimed his first two PGA Tour titles and he enjoyed 11 top-ten finishes, including the US PGA championship and the US Open, before finishing second to world No.1 Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship earlier this month.
Europe are 29/20 with StarSports and Bresbet to win outright and 12/1 pretty much across the board to win another 14.5-13.5 nail biter.
Millwall vs Watford odds
Millwall have yet to win at The Den this season but they put up a good show before losing on penalties at Crystal Palace last week and can rectify that by picking up three Championship points against visiting Watford at 11/10 with William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral.
Serbia striker Mihailo Ivanovic has yet to score in six starts this term but hit 12 goals last season and is 7/1 with Unibet to get off the mark by netting the opener and Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power and others to hit the net at any time.
American Football odds
Points galore seem to be the Oder of the day when the Baltimore Ravens entertain the Detroit Lions in this week’s Monday Night Football affair.
The Ravens have registered at least 40 points in their first two NFL outings this season although they still managed to lose at the Buffalo Bills in their week one opener, while the Detroit Lions decimated the Chicago Bears 38-6 last weekend and over 54.5 total points looks a certainty at 11/10 with BoyleSports, Star Sports, BetGoodwin and Bresbet.
Ravers rusher Derrick Henry is 5/1 with Sporting Index and SpreadEx to rumble in the first touchdown and DeAndre Hopkins is 4/1 with BetMGM to celebrate a TD at any time while Lions passer Jarod Goff, who threw for five touchdowns against the Bears, is worth a nibble at 20/1 with Paddy Power and Sky Bet to saunter into the end zone.
