McGinley did an 'extraordinary' job at Gleneagles, says 2002 skipper
Wednesday 8 October 2014 08:52, UK
Sam Torrance says he loved serving as a Ryder Cup vice-captain at Gleneagles – but is not tempted at a second crack as European skipper.
The 61-year-old guided Europe to victory at The Belfry in 2002, with Paul McGinley sinking a 10-foot par putt in his singles match with Jim Furyk to hand the hosts the decisive half point.
Twelve years on, Torrance helped McGinley preside over another Ryder Cup triumph – an eighth in 10 events – with the hosts racking up a 16½-11½ win over America in Perthshire.
I think – and have always thought – that you still have to be playing on tour and creating a bond with the players throughout the two years of your captaincy.
But the Scot says that while a part of him would like to be the main man once again, he feels he is not qualified for the role as he is no longer a regular player on the European Tour.
“It has not reignited my urge to captain Europe again,” Torrance told Sky Sports.
“The most important criteria for Ryder Cup captain is to be the best man for the job and I am 100 per cent not the right man for the job
“I think – and have always thought – that you still have to be playing on tour and creating a bond with the players throughout the two years of your captaincy.
“I would love to captain again but I wouldn’t accept it for those reasons.”
As well as leading Europe to Ryder Cup success, Torrance played in eight of the biannual showdowns – he won in 1985, 1987 and 1995, and was part of the team that tied 14-14 with America and retained the trophy in 1989.
But he says he got an intense amount of pleasure from the victory at Gleneagles – and watching the players take golf to a whole new level.
“I don’t think it gets better than winning the Ryder Cup as a captain, but winning this year was incredible,” said Torrance.
“I thought my time was over having last been involved 12 years ago, so to be asked back into the fold by Paul was special.
“But what was even more special was to be inside the ropes to see these players play the wonderful game of golf.
“They played it so magnificently that it’s not a game I’m familiar with!”
Rory McIroy blew Rickie Fowler away in the singles, while Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson were formidable as a pair, winning each of the fourballs and foursomes matches they competed in together.
But Torrance says McGinley’s "extraordinary" captaincy was the key to Europe’s success, from his fine attention to detail to making his players exercise their legs, not their golf buggies.
“Paul was vastly different to any captains I played under,” added Torrance.
“He had a master-plan which began the morning he was given the captaincy, while he was meticulous, had a wealth of information and ran things like a well-oiled machine.
“He was incredible in the team room with the way he spoke to the players and how he made sure all the caddies were involved with us.
“He made everybody feel part of the team and everyone felt as if they were in a big, happy family.
“It built up across the week, too – he was very quiet on the Monday and then got the team buzzing a bit more every day so that the boys were up and ready come game time.
“He wanted the players walking from the range to the first tee, not taking a buggy, so they could feel like gladiators coming through the tunnel.
“He was just extraordinary.”
Sam Torrance was speaking on behalf of Standard Life Investments, Worldwide Partner of The Ryder Cup. For exclusive Ryder Cup content, visit YouTube.com/standardlifeinvest.
