• Betting Bunker

Ryder hopefuls aim for Deutsche Bank Love-in

Josh Williams August 30, 2012
Jason Dufner has won twice this season © Getty Images
Enlarge

Click here to bet on the Deutsche Bank Championship at bet365

The European Ryder Cup team is now known in its entirety, but four spots remain up for grabs in the skirmish for a spot in the American side.

US captain Davis Love III will reveal his discretionary picks on Tuesday, following this week's Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston (which, confusingly, begins on a Friday).

Veterans Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk are reportedly pretty much guaranteed a pick, leaving the likes of Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker, Nick Watney, Dustin Johnson and Bo Van Pelt to battle out for two spots; the depth in the US player pool will have attracted envious looks from European skipper Jose Maria Olazabal.

So, will any of those names impress at this week's play-off event, and in the process take one step closer to landing the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus?

Well traditionally, TPC Boston is the easiest post-season challenge - it held that 'honour' from 2008-2010 - and, as this 100-man field is, in theory, the cream of the PGA Tour, we should expect the course to present birdies and facilitate low scores.

Williams' wager

  • Bubba Watson E/W - 25/1 at bet365
    Jason Dufner - E/W 18/1 at bet365

The only real threat might be some stiff breezes across the first couple of days, but although the wind is just about worth mentioning, I wouldn't want to overstate its importance. Really, keeping it simple, all we're looking for is high rankings in greens in regulation and birdie average.

And so, I'll propose two names who are already guaranteed their place in the US Ryder Cup team: Bubba Watson and Jason Dufner.

Masters winner Watson is ranked first for GIR and sixth for birdie average, plus he arrives in fine fettle, with nothing worse than a T23 since June - and that was at The Open, where he proved he could conquer the winds. He's also shown a liking for TPC Boston in the past, notching up a 64 there last year.

Dufner is well rested after missing The Barclays last week, and has enjoyed a breakthrough season: winning twice in his last nine tournaments, and also managing four top sevens in that stretch. His golf game is without a weakness at present - he's fourth in GIR and third in birdie average - and that's always worth investing on.

Good luck!

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Josh Williams Close
Josh Williams is an assistant editor of ESPN.co.uk