Sam Torrance explains he's quit golf after "losing love" for the sport

Former European Ryder Cup player and captain Sam Torrance has revealed in an astonishing interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that he no longer plays golf after "losing the love" for the sport. 

Torrance, 65, was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 70s through to the late 90s, and he won 21 times on the European Tour ranking him tied 10th alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez in the all-time list for wins. 

The Scot was a member of the European Ryder Cup team on eight consecutive occasions from 1981 to 1995, and he was on winning teams in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995. 

Torrance also captained the European Ryder Cup team to victory in 2002 with a 15.5-12.5 victory at The Belfry. 

He was honoured with an MBE in 1996 and OBE in 2003 for his outstanding contributions to golf.

But despite everything the sport has given him throughout his career, Torrance admits he has quit playing golf for the best part of two years now since last having played on the European Senior Tour. 

"I've kind of lost the love for it," Torrance told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm not very good. The hardest thing is I'm mediocre compared to what I was.

"I said to my manager, 'tell me my scores over the last three years and my finishing positions'. She looked it up and she told me I was 200-over par and my best finish was 35th.

"So it was time. That was two years ago and I've not played since. It was tough to let go but I'm glad I did it when I did.

"Even with my mates I'm struggling to find the impetus to get up there and do it."

Torrance may have quit the game but he continues to follow the sport closely as a part-time commentator on the European Tour.