Team USA hopes a return to odd years will change the pattern when it faces the Europeans in the 2021 Ryder Cup, which starts Friday at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisc. The Americans have won just two of the nine events since the tragedy of 9/11 postponed the 2001 event. Now, the pandemic has pushed the biennial showdown back to this year, and Team USA featuring Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChamebau and Collin Morikawa takes on a European team led by Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Team USA as the -200 favorite (risk $200 to win $100) to win in its latest 2021 Ryder Cup golf odds, with Team Europe the +200 underdog and a tie priced at +1200. The event offers a plethora of other options for bettors to choose from, with Rahm the +333 favorite to be the top European player. Justin Thomas (+600) is the first choice on the American side, followed closely at +700 by Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.  

Before you lock in any bets or make any predictions on the 2021 Ryder Cup, you HAVE TO see what golf expert Riley Gates has to say.

Gates is a writer for 247Sports and has covered  a range of sports for nearly five years. He has followed golf closely for much longer and has a profound knowledge of the sport. He also knows what it takes to win when the stakes are high, on the course and at the betting window.    

Now, Gates has scoured the 2021 Ryder Cup odds from Caesars Sportsbook and released his best bets for the event at Whistling Straits. One shocker: He is taking McIlroy (+500) over Rahm to be the top European player. 

The Northern Irishman's game has been picking up steam, while U.S. Open champion Rahm faded last week and missed the cut at the Fortinet Championship. He had trouble closing as the season reached its climax, and McIlroy's competitive fire and length off the tee could be the difference this week.         

Gates also has locked down four other CONFIDENT bets, all with HUGE plus-money payouts, including one that would pay at almost 10-1. You really NEED to see these picks before you bet the 2021 Ryder Cup or make any golf predictions.

Which players will stand out at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits? And which overlooked players can help you cash in big? ... Join SportsLine now to get Riley Gates' best bets for the 2021 Ryder Cup, all from the fantasy expert who has his finger on the pulse of the sport!