The Ryder Cup has arrived – one of the highlights of the sporting calendar – and Racing Post golf guru Steve Palmer is here with his verdict.

Steve Palmer's Ryder Cup Tips:

Europe To Win Outright @ 11/10
Viktor Hovland Top European @ 19/4
Max Homa Top American @ 10/1
Viktor Hovland Top Combined @ 9/1
Jordan Spieth to score 1.5 points or fewer @ EVS

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

What	44th Ryder Cup
Where	Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy
When	Thursday, 29th September – Sunday 1st October, 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports Main Event and Golf
Odds	Europe 11/10, Tie 12/1, USA 10/11

The Ryder Cup starts in Rome on Friday and the Americans have been given slight favouritism over their European counterparts. Team USA can be backed at 10/11, with Europe available at 11/10.

The tie – a 14-14 stalemate is a possibility in this competition – is a 12/1 chance. The USA romped to a 19-9 victory in the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits two years ago – with Steve Stricker doing a superb job as captain. Zach Johnson has taken the reins for this edition.

Henrik Stenson was the original choice as captain for Europe, but the Swede joined LIV Golf and was stripped of his role, meaning Luke Donald took over at the helm.

The action starts with four foursomes matches on Friday morning. Each pair plays one ball in foursomes, taking turns to hit shots. There will be four fourballs matches on Friday afternoon, then Saturday will see the same format.

Sunday is always the most important day of the Ryder Cup, with 12 singles matches taking place. With 12 of the possible 28 points on offer saved for the Sunday, there is always scope for dramatic turnarounds on day three. 

Course details

Marco Simone Golf and Country Club is a 7,268-yard, par 71, with only three par-fives. It has hosted the Italian Open from 2021 onwards, with Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre and Adrian Meronk winning those events. 

Hojgaard and MacIntyre are in Team Europe this week. The Europeans are in charge of course set-up and they have opted for thick rough. 

A hot summer in Rome has resulted in firm, fast conditions, and the weather forecast for this week is for unbroken sunshine, calm skies, with temperatures peaking at 29C.

Europe set to regain the Cup

The United States have failed to win a Ryder Cup match away from home for 30 years and that victory drought looks set to continue. The 11/10 about Europe winning this week seems more than fair, given seven of the last eight Cups have been won by the home side.

Europe's players have been competing and generally performing superbly, while the vast majority of the American side have been in hibernation since the Tour Championship a month ago. Rust could be an issue in the early stages.

Hovland can star for home side

FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland can be backed at a juicy 19/4 for top European honours. The Norwegian ace, who won the Memorial in June before winning two of the three FedEx Cup playoff events, is the most in-form player on the planet.

Hovland may form a dangerous alliance with Ludvig Aberg and points seem almost certain. Rory McIlroy could be a potential fourballs partner for Hovland.

Homa to put on a good show

The top American may end up being a Ryder Cup rookie – Max Homa, a 10/1 chance. He made an excellent Presidents Cup debut last year, winning all four of his matches, and the confident Californian seems made for team matchplay competition.

Two-time Major champion Collin Morikawa seems a likely partner for Homa. They teamed up in the Zurich Classic PGA Tour pairs event in April.

Norwegian may score maximum

The top combined points scorer market seems likely to be won by a European, with Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg the prime candidates. 

If Hovland and Aberg are paired and get off to a good start, Captain Donald may be tempted to stick with them throughout.

Hovland at 9/1 appears the safest investment. He looks booked for strong partners and will surely play at least four matches. 

Spieth could be set to struggle

The 1/1 about Jordan Spieth scoring one-and-a-half points or fewer seems well worth a wager. Spieth played poorly in the Tour Championship in his last outing, then took time off for the birth of his first daughter.

With likely partner Justin Thomas in such fragile form, Spieth may find it difficult to make an impact this time. He has never won a Ryder Cup singles match.

Steve Palmer's Ryder Cup Tips:

Europe To Win Outright @ 11/10
Viktor Hovland Top European @ 19/4
Max Homa Top American @ 10/1
Viktor Hovland Top Combined @ 9/1
Jordan Spieth to score 1.5 points or fewer @ EVS

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.