Sam's Ryder Cup secrets

For over 30 years Sam Torrance has been towards the top of his trade as a professional golfer and now he has the chance to reach the pinnacle as captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team.

The 42-year-old Scot is poised to challenge the US team at The Belfry in September with a team that combines experience with youth and is looking forward to it.

Golfmagic caught up with him at the Topgolf Centre in Watford during a break in a corporate day when he entertained Ladbrokes clients and struck a variety of shots on the range during his recovery from a rib injury.

During our interview his mobile phone, appropriately playing the tune of 'The Entertainer' (from the film 'The Sting') interrupted us several times, but during our 20 minute chat it was clear Sam was relishing the opportunity to lead his team into battle at The Belfry in September.

People must think that because you live, breath, eat sleep the Ryder Cup, you must be heartily sick of it already.

Certainly not sick of it. It has been a wonderful experience for me. I have had the job about a year and a half now and it’s certainly been more than I thought it would be but it’s not a problem. It’s been an absolute pleasure. A real learning experience.

When you say it was more than expected. Can you be specific?

All of it really. It’s quite incredible.

Would you have taken it on, had you known what it was going to be like?

Oh God, yes. If I was given double the workload I would have taken it on. Absolutely. It’s the thrill of a lifetime. None of the stuff has been a problem. Just more than what I thought.

What little trivial things have you had to do that you didn’t think were in the original brief?

The amount of interviews has been incredible; sorting out every item of clothing we have to wear, hotel rooms, menus, food for the week. Who gets on the course, who doesn’t get on the course.

Do you have to know the dietary requirements of every player?

The menus are quite extensive so you get one or two choices. In fact anything anyone wants, will be arranged for them. We’ve got our own chefs.

The Belfry course has changed a bit since you first played there.

I have always loved it. I loved it when it was barren and nothing there. It was very open but a very good golfers’ test. A great challenge. It’s a strikers’ course. You would never get round if you didn’t play well. Even more so now it has grown up and matured beautifully. Now it’s tree-lined and aesthetically it looks beautiful.

How much is the Ryder Cup on your mind subconsciously?

Twenty-two hours a day probably. Then I get a couple of hours off when I’m asleep. Amazing things go through your mind at different times…what I’m going to say in my opening speech, who will I pick with who, what’s it going to be like…everything.

Do you have dreams about it?

I don’t actually, but I do a lot of day-dreaming about it. Who would I play with who? Would this work, would that work?

How has it taken over your life?

It is my whole life. Over the last six months I’ve taken six months off and every day there has been something. If it’s not sitting at my computer checking on results of possible players, press interviews, arranging gifts for players. The captain traditionally gives something to every player.

What was your first inkling that you might be captain?

It was after the matches at the Belfry in 1993 when I was injured and couldn’t play on the last day when I had my toe nail taken off. My name was mentioned by some of the players but I think everyone had had a bit to drink and they were trying to make me feel good because I’d had a bad week. But the first real suggestion was before Jesse (James) was captain. I had won the French Open in 1998 and was trying to make the team for 1999. The decision was made that Mark would be captain and possibly I would be captain next time.

It was never stated but there was a good chance I would be next.

So when the meeting came round and you were asked if you would accept the job, did you have time to ask your wife Suzanne what she thought?

No. I said yes. I did not have to think about it.

Have you captained a team before?

Yes. I captained the winning Scotland team at the Dunhill Cup in 1995 with Andrew Coltart and Colin Montgomerie. I also captained a winning European Tour team in the Asai Glass championship in Australia. Apart from that I wasn’t even a captain at school.

Have you always perceived yourself as a leader of men?

Not really. But I’ve always been a decent team player.

How are you at motivating people?

Certainly they won’t need motivating for the Ryder Cup. I won’t have to lift them for that. It’s more likely I’ll have to keep them down. I’ve thought about it a lot. It’s a very high tension atmosphere but you know why you’re there.

Do you see yourself as a parental, arm-round-the shoulder type of captain?

I won’t know until I’m there. Whatever’s needed, I’ll do.

You have spoken to previous captains including Mark James, Seve Ballesteros, Bernard Gallacher and Tony Jacklin about the rol. What advice have they offered?

Nothing specific, really. But I don’t need to. I have played under them all. I know what went on. And I know that if they think of anything they will tell me. But having been a player in the Ryder Cup will be a tremendous help. I’ve lived through it.

Is there a moment when a captain lifted you?

Oh yeah. Tony Jacklin in my 1985 match at The Belfry. He was walking with me after I holed a six foot putt at 17 to go all square and gave us a chance to win the match. We needed one more point. And as we walked off the green I handed him the driver and said ‘go on, you hit it.’

And he said to me ‘don’t be so daft. You’re man enough for this course. Go on take it.’ That really lifted me and I hit the drive of my life. The rest is history.

You have also spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager.

I know Alex and there is no finer football manager in the world and I he told me some very interesting stuff about making teams gel and ensuring everyone feels they are part of a team.

I don’t want to give anything away but he told me some good stuff. I also spoke to ‘Beefy (Ian Botham). He’s a very dear friend and a great man to have around. He’s a great motivator with a huge presence. We’ve had some good chats.

You will know every member of your team very well. What about the opposition?

I know their top 12 and I know where their strengths lie but it makes no difference to my job.

Have you talked to some of your own players, at least those that have already qualified, about the golf course?

We had a good wee session in Germany last week with Darren (Clarke), Lee (Westwood) and Tom (Bjorn) and they came up with some great stuff I hadn’t thought of. But I’m not going to tell you about it.

Are some of the holes more crucial than others?

They're all crucial. They are so crucial it’s scary.

Something I always said about Jack Nicklaus. If you watched him play a shot and you didn’t know what course he was playing, you couldn’t tell whether he was hitting his opening shot of the tournament of his approach to the 72nd hole. The first hole is as important as the 18th.

But if you are talking about three holes that are paramount, it’s the first three.

What qualities are needed to compete in the Ryder Cup.

A strong golf game. That’s it. Everything else follows.

Is Monty’s form a bit of a worry?

Not in the least. It’s a bit like Tiger’s ‘slump’, they don’t last lon. In the next three weeks Monty could be leading the points.

How delighted were you with Olazabal’s performance in winning the French Open?

Fabulous. I spoke to him on the Sunday night after he won. I was delighted that he’s given himself a chance to get straight in.

What did you think of Tiger’s performance in the Deutsche Bank?

He’s awesome. He’s the best.

Have you holed out a second shot in similar fashion?

In thirty years, yes a couple of times.

How important is your wife Suzanne’s role in all this?

Very important. She’s been a great help to me in every aspect – in all my thinking. She’s in on the lot. The wives have to make sure their husbands are happy and relaxed so anything they need will come through Suzanne. Whatever it is it will be sorted.

Finally what Ryder Cup moment stands out for you?

The putt I holed in 1985 but even that will be superceded if I can captain a European victory.