Play it again, Sam

SCOTLAND’S Sam Torrance loves the Ryder Cup.

After all, he represented Europe eight times between 1981-1995 and was the man of the moment in 1985 when he helped Europe defeat the powerful American team for the first time in 28 years.

It was Torrance who sank the winning putt on the 18th green at The Belfry in England to deprive the Yanks.

He also was a member of Cup-winning teams in 1987. That year Europe won on American soil for the first time.

In 2002, Torrance was the European team’s non-playing captain and led his team to victory at The Belfry, which made him the second European to sink the winning putt and captain a winning team at separate Ryder Cups.

The great Seve Ballesteros was the first to do it in 1987 (as a player) and 1997 (as captain). 

A winner of 46 professional events including the 1980 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Melbourne, Torrance also represented Scotland 11 times at the World Cup and nine times at the Alfred Dunhill Cup.

Recently AceOdds (aceodds.com) caught up with Torrance, 70, to ask him a few questions about his Ryder Cup experiences, winning the Australian PGA and more.

What was your favourite Ryder Cup moment?

Being captain, by a million miles. That was extremely special. Playing in it is obviously very meaningful and exciting and rewarding, but to be the captain, win or lose, was beyond belief to be honest.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as captain?

Speeches. There was nothing that bothered me, every other aspect of it, picking the clothing, putting the teams out was great. Being friends with them, talking to them. Every aspect of the Ryder Cup I looked forward to. But the opening and closing ceremonies terrified me. I got some great help from a guy called David Purdie (a Scotsman), who I heard speaking at the Sunningdale centenary dinner. He was magnificent. As soon as he finished, I went up and introduced myself and he says, ‘yes Sam, I know who you are’. I said, ‘well, I want you to help me with the Ryder Cup’ and he looked at me and said: ‘But Sam, I’m an amateur.’ I didn’t want him to play! But he was magnificent in helping me … just little things. I spent a lot of time with him in the years building up and that was a huge help.

Italy was selected to host the Ryder Cup for the first time, and 90 per cent of tickets sold have been to foreigners (non-Italians). What do you make of that?

Yeah, I don’t know how that happened. But I suppose if 10 per cent went to the Italians then that’s quite a lot of tickets. But that’s political so I have no idea how that happened.

Do you think the nature of the country that hosts it influences the event?

Well, they’ll certainly be eating very well and drinking very well. The nature of the Italians. Yeah, of course. France was magnificent, the cultures are there. But in the end, it’ll just be these 12 guys against the other 12 on a golf course and let the best team win. It will be fantastic.

And what was your biggest career highlight?

Well, captain of the Ryder Cup, but as a player, winning the Australian PGA on Royal Melbourne, which is an incredible golf course. I’ve been very lucky. I won at Royal Melbourne and in the Irish Open. And won twice at St Andrews – one with my son. That was very special.

What was your most memorable shot?

I think the 1998 French Open on the 17th at the Le Golf National, where the Ryder Cup was played in 2018. I think I was tied for the lead with two holes to go. The 18 is a par-5, and 17 was kind of the toughest on the course. I hit a seven-wood to a foot to make birdie. I needed just a five at the last to win it and did so that was probably the most memorable one. And it was actually my last win on the European Tour, so I wasn’t a spring chicken.

And what is your favourite golf course?

St Andrews. I love the Open at St Andrews. I love the Dunhill Cup and the Dunhill Links. I loved everything about St Andrews. I actually built a golf course there and spent three months living in the town. It’s such a fabulous place. You actually see it then when you’re playing in the Open or the Dunhill. It’s so busy, restaurants are full, and you have the freedom of just wandering about this wonderful little city with this golf course that virtually comes up the high street is quite amazing.

Footnote: Next month Sam Torrance tells us who were his toughest opponents, funny moments in golf and more.