Sam Torrance admitted keeping the secret of his 2014 European Ryder Cup vice-captaincy appointment was akin to veil of secrecy he had to keep when honoured by the Queen.
Torrance could finally reveal he had known for some 13 months of the announcement made Dublin yesterday (THU) that both he and Ireland’s Des Smyth are the first two of vice-captaincy choices made by Team captain, Paul McGinley.
McGinley was expected to make the announcement of his first two deputies during May’s flagship BMW PGA Championship.
However the staging of next month’s inaugural Eurasia Cup in Malaysia between a European and Asian Tour team’s forced McGinley to bring his Gleneagles vice-captaincy selections forward, and given he also yesterday (THU) confirmed Smyth as vice-captain to Miguel Angel Jimenez in EurAsia Cup starting on March 27th in Kuala Lumpur.
Paul McGinley and his two Gleneagles vice-captains in Des Smyth and Sam Torrance. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golfile.ie)
And McGinley chose his home town of Dublin given he was guest-of-honour last night (THU) at the annual Irish Golf Writers Dinner at Portmarnock where representatives from Muirfield, and last year’s host Open Championship venue were also in attendance.
However McGinley was also expected to make his vice-captaincy appointments in the presence of Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny and in the Irish Government buildings in Dublin. However while the announcement went ahead in the Irish capital Kenny was absent and having rushed to Brussels to attend talks over the Crimea crisis.
Torrance was first a vice-captain in 1999 under Mark James before leading Europe to victory three years later at The Belfry, and where McGinley holed the winning putt.
And as Torrance and Smyth joined McGinley on stage in Dublin, Torrance expressed his delight in the fact his Gleneagles appointment is now public.
“It’s like getting an honour from The Queen as you can’t tell anyone and I’ve known for bloody months,” said Torrance smiling.
“Since Paul asked me I’ve been ecstatic as it is a wonderful honour.
“It was great last year when he asked me to be one of the Captains for the Seve Trophy and that was obviously geared towards the Ryder Cup.
“So I’ve probably known for a year, and it’s been a bloody nightmare. My wife knew, as did my mum and dad, and about four bookies that would take my bet!
“I couldn’t even tell my best friend Queeny (Michael King) as you might as well have put it in the newspapers if he’d known.”
McGinley indicated he will not pick any further vice-captains until after September 2nd and two days following the close of the Italian Open and the final 2014 Ryder Cup qualifying event.
In the intervening period he will meet with rival captain Tom Watson at next months’ Masters and again inspect Gleneagles during the first week in May.
And now that there is one Scot in McGinley’s side he had called on the likes of Stephen Gallacher and Paul Lawrie to strive to make the Gleneagles side.
“I’m looking for form first and foremost so I would be lying if I said it isn’t important to have a home Scottish player on the team, but it’s not essential,” said McGinley.
“Stevie Gallacher has just won in Dubai, he’s a great guy and I know he would be great in a Ryder Cup. But he knows as I do that he’s going to have to produce a strong summer to make the team.
“So yes I’d like a Scot in the team but they’ve got to earn it.”
And Torrance added his Tartan call of support saying; “The only way I can assess whether or not a Scot can make the team is by looking back at Muirfield in 1973.
“I was on Tour at the time but it never registered to me that I should make the time just because it was in Scotland.
“But later on my career I realised that trying qualify for the Ryder Cup was what it was all about and it would be a great honour for any of the Scottish lads to make the team this year
McGinley’s appointment of Torrance and Smyth comes just weeks after Watson confirmed the selection of 63-year old Andy North and 71-year old Ray Floyd.
However while the appointment of Floyd raised eyebrows Torrance says his knowledge of the 1976 Masters champ could prove beneficial to Europe’s cause.
“You must never underestimate the Americans as Tom (Watson) and Raymond (Floyd) may not have teeth as sharp as they used to be but….. I love Raymond Floyd,” said Torrance.
“I’ve known him for a long time and I’m glad I didn’t have to play him as he’s the toughest competitor I ever knew. He’s a great man, too.”
