Colin Montgomerie says Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn is “probably looking at the best team” that has ever been assembled ahead of the event at Le Golf National.
The European team will arrive in France later this year as challengers, having lost their grip on the trophy to the USA at Hazeltine in 2016, and the anticipation continues to grow ahead of the event.
America’s eight automatic qualifying spots are currently occupied by seven major champions – these being Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson – and four-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler.
Throw in the potential of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau being added to the mix via the four captain’s picks, and Jim Furyk’s side appears extremely strong on paper.
However, Europe also boasts huge quality in their ranks and Italian Francesco Molinari’s maiden major win at the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie last week means the challengers also have three major champions in their top eight – Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose being the other two.
Jon Rahm, Alex Noren, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Casey currently hold the other five automatic positions and the quintet could be joined by the likes of Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson, who are tipped to get captain’s picks if they don’t qualify on their own merits.
It is panning out to be one of the most hotly-contested Ryder Cups and Montgomerie, who won five as a player and one as a captain, says this is arguably Europe’s strongest-ever team.
“Amazing what an Open victory does to a team mentality, and not just him,” he was quoted as saying by Golf Magic. “It was him, and (Rory) McIlroy and (Justin) Rose came through very well, and you put all those three together with Molinari’s win, Thomas is probably looking at the best team that we’ve had assembled for, well, almost ever.”
The best online casinos and betting sites are reviewed and ranked by our online casino and betting experts – check out the best casino and betting sites.
See the related resources and list of the top recommended casinos and betting sites:
Best Online Casinos
Best New Casinos
Key Areas of Focus in Our Comprehensive Assessment
Our review process at BetOnAces.com involves a detailed examination of several crucial aspects:
Game Variety
The diversity of games and betting markets is a key factor for any betting operator, whether in casino gaming or sports betting. We assess the range of games and betting options available, ensuring a wide and varied selection that caters to the varied tastes of a global audience.
Bonus and Welcome Offers
In the competitive landscape of online gambling, bonuses and welcome offers play a significant role. We scrutinize each offer, including the latest, longstanding, and those recently refreshed, to ensure fairness and clarity. Our analysis aims to provide insights especially beneficial for those new to online gambling, covering various bonus types from Free Spins and No Deposit Bonuses to Enhanced Odds and Matched Deposits.
User Experience
We analyze the ease of use of gambling sites, focusing on how simple it is for users to find what they need. Our review process includes examining the efficiency of the sign-up process, account management, and overall navigation. A gambling site must provide a seamless and intuitive user experience to earn our endorsement.
Payment Options
We extensively review the payment methods offered by gambling sites, emphasizing ease of transactions. This review covers everything from the eligibility of different payment operators to the specifics of depositing and withdrawing funds.
Mobile App Experience
Recognizing the growing trend towards mobile gambling, we evaluate the quality of mobile betting apps. Our assessment focuses on the availability of sports betting markets and casino games, as well as the overall functionality and user-friendliness of mobile platforms.
Safety and Security
The safety and security of online gambling platforms are paramount. We assess each site's adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring they promote responsible gambling and offer adequate protections for users.
Customer Support
The quality of customer support is a critical component of our reviews. We interact with support teams to gauge their responsiveness, helpfulness, and availability, ensuring that the gambling sites provide top-notch customer service.
By covering these essential areas in our reviews, BetOnAces.com aims to provide gamblers around the world with reliable and informative insights, helping them make informed choices about where to gamble online.
