Sam Torrance was today confirmed as Europe's new Ryder Cup captain. The longest-serving player on the European tour, Torrance was a member of eight successive Ryder Cup sides from 1981 to 1995.
Torrance served as one of Mark James' vice-captains in the dramatic defeat in Boston in September. The Scot had been viewed as the favourite to take over from James, since the controversial match at Brookline ended. Torrance was highly critical of American player, Tom Lehman when some of the home side charged onto the 17th green before Jose Maria Olazabal had the chance to cancel out Justin Leonard's 45-foot putt. After the match he was asked about the captaincy and said that if the job was offered he would see it as the greatest honour he could ever receive.
Fourteen years ago at the Sutton Coldfield course, Torrance sank a put which put the Ryder Cup back into European hands for the first time since 1957. America had held the trophy for 28 years and Torrance had tears in his eyes when he became the man to end their long reign, holing a 20-foot putt. Qualification for Europe's 2001 team does not start until next September.
