Golf [golf, gawlf]
- noun
A game in which clubs with wooden or metal heads are used to hit a small, white ball into a number of holes, the object being to get the ball into each hole in as few strokes as possible.
But we all know golf, and especially the Ryder Cup, is so much more dramatic than that. Sam Torrance knows a thing or two about that having handled the momentous weight of pressure on his shoulders at The Belfry in sinking the putt to confirm Europe’s victory in 1985 denying the Americans the trophy for the first time since 1957.
At 57, Torrance’s story in golf revolves around his love-affair with the prestigious event and his record of over 700 appearances on the European Tour.
He featured as a player in eight consecutive Ryder Cups from 1981 to 1995 experiencing every emotion possible and was then to victoriously lead the Europeans as the non-playing captain in 2002, again, at The Belfry. His modesty in remembering the success that year is fitting given the event was pushed back twelve months after the tragedy of 9/11.
Regarding his Ryder Cup winning captaincy he famously heaped the praise on his successful players: “It had nothing to do with me. I led the boys to water, and they drank copiously.”
Sport.co.uk spoke to the Scot 18 months ago about his predictions for the Ryder Cup and the potential of the young Rory McIlroy. Now after the delirium of Europe’s Celtic Manor win and the mercurial rise and impact of the Northern Irishman we caught up with him once again to review the enthralling success over the Americans, his continuing success on the European Senior Tour and his pick for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year (no surprises that he opted for a golfer).
This year’s Ryder Cup was one of the greatest in its history. What did you make of it? Did you go through the emotions or were you always confident of European success?
Oh God no. Well, I thought they would win but it doesn’t get more exciting than it coming down to the last match on the course with America still in with a chance to win it. It was exceptional and what a performance by Graeme McDowell. I loved his analogy he said that winning the US Open was like playing golf with his dad on a Monday morning compared to the significance of the Ryder Cup which in effect I can understand.
In terms of other standout performances, Rickie Fowler winning the last four holes against Edoardo Molinari was just exceptional.
Colin Montgomerie admitted he used your words and wisdom from the 2002 Cup to inspire his players this year at Celtic Manor. From what you saw, how do you think your techniques as captain rubbed off on Monty this year? Did you give him any advice in the build up to the first day’s play?
Oh I couldn’t go there. You’d have to ask Monty that. I played with him at Gleneagles and we had a few chats but that’s the thing about being a captain, you learn so much from all your other captains. He would have put all the advice together and done it his own way.
Monty brought everyone involved together and showed previous Ryder Cup footage to impress how important playing for your teammates is. How do you feel you influenced the players when you were coach?
I was just there for them. When anyone’s down you lift them up. It’s very difficult to describe. It’s a spur of the moment thing. When you see an instance where someone looks a wee bit down sitting in the corner you go and have a chat with them, try to sort them out.
Just being there, being a physical presence. Whenever I was playing, I loved my captains to come up and stand at the tee and be watching you. You want to impress them. You want to play for them. That’s part of the captain’s role.
He appeared to be incredibly intense for the whole weekend all the way through to the final shot. From your experiences as captain and from what you know of Monty, what emotions would he have been going through at Celtic Manor?
You go through everything. It unfolds in front of you and it’s out of your hands basically, so it’s stressful times when you get to that situation. You’ve just got to believe in the players. To be honest when I was captain I’ve never been more relaxed at a golf event. I had so much faith in my players and it all unfolded beautifully. But then the performance went down to the last match, it was very tense.
Monty said winning as captain would surpass his achievements playing in the tournament. Is this the same for you? What meant more to you personally?
A hundred fold. It was the finest week of my golfing life by far.
Who do you back to take the role as the next Ryder Cup captain? I’ve noticed you have backed Jose Maria Olazabal in your column for City AM. What qualities would he bring to the appointment?
Well Olazabal would make a great captain. He would bring passion, respect, every quality that’s required.
You’ve said you would not be the right man for the job if captaincy was offered to you again, but that you would like to? What about a role behind the scenes?
I couldn’t possibly be the man. You’ve really got to be playing with them to create that bond during the course of the year. My captaincy was unique. You must remember due to the tragedy of 9/11 the Ryder Cup was postponed for a year. Every other captain has something like three weeks to prepare between picking the team and playing. I had a whole year to create a bond with my team. I strongly believe you have to be out there working week in, week out so you know what’s coming in September. Despite the impact of 9/11 the 2002 Ryder Cup was every bit as competitive.
You experienced three wins, four losses and tied once to retain the trophy in your eight appearances as a player. How do the defeats compare to the wins? Which one hurt the most?
It’s a difference of euphoria and complete dejection. It’s a very tough thing to take losing in the Ryder Cup because it’s not just you. There’s a big team there, twelve players, a captain, a vice captain, the whole European Tour, just everything. You’ve got to come back home having lost the Ryder Cup. It’s not a great feeling at all but it spurs you on. I had that in mind for the captaincy to get the players digging a bit deeper. It’s a world of difference between winning and losing.
In 1985 you sank that winning putt to deprive the Americans of the trophy for the first time in 28 years. Can you relive that shot for us again?
Really the hard facts are I holed that eight foot putt on 17 to birdie to get back to all square and that was probably the toughest putt I ever had because I was one down and knew we needed another point. Obviously if I missed the putt I’m one down playing the last hole and I cannot win. But I knocked it in, very nervously. Everything was shaking apart from the ball. Then on 18 [Torrance’s singles opponent] Andy North had been in the water so I had three putts to win the match and really that was not a problem. It was just a wonderful moment when the putt went in
You famously proposed to your wife on the plane over to the USA. How did you keep your mind on the golf? It was a fantastic performance.
Easily. In 1987 it was our best performance. I don’t know how you equate this year’s one but for us to beat America in America for the first time ever on the Muirfield Village course they play every year – and captained by probably the greatest golfer ever, Jack Nicklaus, who built the course as well – that was an incredible victory. The golf that was played that week was sublime.
All 12 were standout performances. There were some great partnerships formed that week. Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, Olazabal and Seve [Severiano Ballesteros], Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle and they were just magnificent.
At one with his sport
You championed Rory McIlroy to be included at the Cup this year and were certainly vindicated. How will this year’s experiences add to his game?
Hugely. It’s a very special thing, the Ryder Cup. Once you’ve been in one team you really want to be in the next. In 1983 all twelve of us promised each other we were going to make the next team. We felt we should have won in ’83 although we lost by a point. I’m not sure how many made the team again from ’83 but all those that did were ready for it in ’85 and that was the turning round of the Ryder Cup really.
In your opinion are European players spending too much time in America and not enough on the European circuit?
No not at all. I think our tour couldn’t be better at the moment. We’ve just got McIlroy saying he’s not taking up his card in America and Martin Kaymer doing the same so I think European golf is fantastic now. You’ve got to remember a lot of the events they play in America are World Golf Championships events which they all have to play in plus the three majors over there and maybe the FedEx Cup but they’re playing a lot of events here and I don’t think the European tour’s ever been stronger.
It was suggested Paul Casey and Justin Rose were overlooked for the team for this reason – of not playing enough in Europe – do you think this was fair? How do you explain their omissions?
No they weren’t overlooked, just not picked because of circumstances. Some fantastic performances from young Francesco Molinari and you had to pick Padraig Harrington and unfortunately that only left one more spot. Out of three players: Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Paul Casey it was a real tough task for Monty to pick just one of them. That was down to circumstances, nothing else.
After Colin Montgomerie no one has won more European Tours (with 21) without winning one of golf’s four major championships than you. You also hold the record for the most appearances (over 700) on the Tour but would you have given up some of this success to clinch one of those Majors? Do you have any regrets?
Not at all. I gave it my best shot, tried my hardest in every one but it wasn’t to be. It’s not a problem for me at all. I’ve had a wonderful career in terms of enjoyment. I’ve had an absolute ball for 40 years and to be honest I wouldn’t change a thing.
How have you enjoyed playing in the European Senior Tour?
It’s fantastic. We’re very fortunate in golf to have a second career at the age of 50. It’s a wonderful thing.
With the likes of yourself, Bernard Langer and Fred Couples drawing more money and interest to the Senior Tour, do you feel it is experiencing rejuvenation? Does it provide opportunities for those who excel to be included in the main tours and events such as the Ryder Cup?
The Tour builds every year. It’s like the American Senior Tour which is of course a bit bigger than ours but it takes time to build up. Our Tour’s very strong. Langer would have been a consideration [for the Ryder Cup] having won two open championships [at the Senior British Open Championship in Scotland and at the US Senior Open]. In the end I don’t think he would want that because we’ve had our day in the Ryder Cup. I certainly wouldn’t want to be playing again.
How has Lee Westwood changed his game to become number 1? How much did his work down the gym influence his turn around?
Well the training in the gym has given him a superb physique and driving power but it has also given him confidence in his mind. His game has always been good, he’s always had a beautiful game. I think the accumulation of it all together is why he’s number one in the world.
Who do you think will push him hardest to hold onto that honour? Kaymer, Woods again...
Kaymer’s very close and obviously Tiger Woods is going to be back, Phil Mickelson and, who knows, maybe even McDowell.
Despite this honour Westwood seems to be a perennial runner-up in the majors, coming second at both The Masters and The Open Championship this year. Do you think there is a mental problem there or is it just a matter of time?
No it’s not a mental problem at all, it’s just what happens. Majors are very tough to win. People get lifted. I mean, look at Y. E. Yang beating Tiger [at the 2009 PGA Championship]. That was beyond belief that he could do that but that’s what the occasion does. I think for Lee Westwood that he’ll find the major. I’m sure of it.
Speaking of Westwood, I noticed he was at the Manchester derby last week chatting away with Fabio Capello…do you support a football team?
Yeah, Celtic and Manchester United. My father supported Celtic and I grew up supporting them and I’m a good friend of Alex Ferguson and used to live in Manchester.
How do you think United are getting on?
United are doing fine this season. It wasn’t a great result in the derby. A win would have been fantastic for them especially with Chelsea getting beaten at the weekend, but Chelsea are very strong. They’re going to be tough to beat this year.
You may be biased to your sport but who do you think will be in the top three of Sports Personality of the Year this December?
Well I would have to look at Graeme McDowell. His performance at the Ryder Cup was just incredible and to win the US Open was just fantastic. With Lee Westwood going to number one in the world he’s certainly in with a claim but for me the best golfer of the year’s been McDowell. His year has been just magnificent.
Where do you think the Ryder Cup stands in the global spectrum of sporting tournaments - compared with, say, the Ashes, the Football World Cup, the Six Nations?
I believe it is right up there with them, up there with the World Cup finals, the Olympics. They’re all majestic events in their own way and the Ryder Cup has its own special feel.
On a final note, what would you identify as your finest achievement on the course?
The Australian PGA and Irish Opens would be my best moments.
Sam Torrance’s new book An Enduring Passion: My Ryder Cup Years, published by Mainstream Publishing, is available now. RRP £16.99.
