Ahead of this weekend’s golf showdown, former triumphant captain Sam Torrance tells us the tricks of the trade.
CHANGE THE COURSE
“Home captaincy means you get 100 per cent control of the golf course. I used it during my captaincy, laying on slower greens because the US team liked them faster, and cut out the thick rough because they were proficient chippers. Now US captain Davis Love III has a chance to turn the tables.”
USE THE CROWD
“US crowds can be very un-gamely and noisy. The European players need to use this to their advantage by wanting to shut up certain idiots. If they channel this anger into adrenaline they can really pump themselves up and play a lot better.”
RELY ON EXPERIENCE
“You can’t explain the pressure of a Ryder Cup until you play in one, so experience is massively important. The only rookie in Europe’s squad is Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, but he won the World Match Play this year, so he shouldn’t be too ruffled.”
BOND AS A TEAM
“European golf takes players to a different country virtually every week, so unlike US golfers they’re used to bonding with other players. This fraternising leads to a team belief, a trust in one another and sureness that British golfer Ian Poulter is fantastic for – he exudes confidence.”
TRUST YOUR VICE CAPTAINS
“Vice captains are crucial because they’re the eyes and ears of their captain on the course. They also deal with any personal or physical problems faced by the players. Going to speak to your captain is like going to speak to your headmaster; you’d rather ask the teacher.”
Out Of Bounds by Sam Torrance is out now.
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