The Loop
UK sportsbook caught off guard by Luke Donald Ryder Cup report, suspends betting
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For those stunned by the reports that Darren Clarke will make Luke Donald a Ryder Cup captain's pick, you're not alone.
William Hill, one of the leading bookmakers in the United Kingdom, was caught off guard by the news. Over the weekend, Donald was listed at 15/2 odds for making the trip to Hazeltine. On Monday, however, Donald’s figure fell to 5/2 to 2/1 to 6/4 and then, at about 2:00 P.M. local time, 1/100, according to Bunkered magazine.
Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood were seen as locks for two of Clarke's picks, yet the final spot was envisioned to come down to Russell Knox and Thomas Pieters. Instead, it appears Clarke is going with Donald, who hasn't won a PGA or European Tour event since 2012 and was ranked 88th in the world at the beginning of August. Both Knox and Pieters have victories in the past month.
“Darren wanted more experience seeing as he has five rookies already on the team,” one of the sources said to Golf Digest.
Clarke will officially announce his three captain’s picks on Tuesday at Wentworth Club.