It’s time for Tiger Woods to prove his doubters wrong.
Red-hot Ryders

Not that many people would want to bet against Woods right now, not after he put together five consecutive PGA Tour victories in a row. But for some reason, the Ryder Cup hasn’t been kind to Woods in the past. Tiger is just 7-11-2 lifetime at this international match-play tourney.

Time for a change. Woods is the favorite at +200 to lead all Americans in scoring when the 2006 Ryder Cup tees off at The K Club in County Kildare, Ireland. The last time we saw Woods in Cup action two years ago, he was at the crossroads of his career. Tiger had a new swing coach, a new driver and, for some reason, rival Phil Mickelson as a partner. The U.S. went on to suffer its worst-ever defeat at this competition.

Where Woods was a reluctant warrior two years ago, he is now reportedly eager to put the past behind him and lead America to victory. The odds, though, are not in his favor this time. Europe is priced at even money to hoist the Ryder Cup for the fifth time in six tries (and eight of the past 11). Team USA is a shade behind at +110; a draw result, which has only happened twice in the event’s 79-year history, is priced at +850. Europe retains the Cup in the case of a tie.

Woods is paired with Jim Furyk this time around. Furyk is +400 to lead the American side in points, and he proved to be a compatible partner for Woods when they helped the U.S. win the 2005 President’s Cup. Both players lobbied current U.S. captain Tom Lehman to reunite the tandem in Ireland. But, like Woods, Furyk has a checkered past in Ryder Cup action, going 1-9-1 in team matches.

The European team lacks the star power of the Americans, but it makes up for that in consistency and depth. Sergio Garcia leads the odds list for top Euro scorer at +600; right behind him at +650 are Luke Donald, Paddy Harrington, and Colin Montgomerie, who is playing in what is expected to be his last Ryder Cup. ‘Monty’ is 5-0-2 in singles action and always seems to raise his level of golf at this event. His lack of success at PGA Tour majors, though, overshadows his winning ways in Europe. The Scotsman should get one more Cup moment in the Irish sun.

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