Torrance eyeing
1999 Ryder spot
Nobody, but
nobody, will try harder to win a spot on this year's European Ryder
Cup team than Sam Torrance.
Having been
an ever-present force from 1981 to 1995, the universally popular
and immensely gifted Scot missed out on Valderrama two years ago.
The man who
holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 1985 to end America's 28
year domination is unquestionably the most ardent supporter of the
contest. He adores the Ryder Cup and all it stands for, and he loathed
not being part of Seve Ballesteros' triumphant squad in 1997.
"That was an
evil experience," Torrance said as he looked forward with anticipation
and renewed ambition to his 28th campaign as a Euro tourist. "I
regard missing the Valderrama Ryder Cup as a lesson really well-learned.
I am now 45 and this year could my last realistic fling at making
the side."
For many of
his first 27 years on tour Torrance was ready to be the life and
soul of any party. A gregarious character by nature, he was not
averse to fueling his capacity for sociability with a modicum of
alcohol.
Not that Torrance
was ever a big-time drinker. That's not to say he was entirely abstemious
52 weeks of any given year, either.
But having known
him since before he made his Tour debut in 1971 -- and frequently
enjoying his company in several far-flung points of the globe --
I can swear to the fact that he has never been in any danger of
becoming addicted to the demon drink.
However, the
shock of failing to make the last Ryder Cup team hit him like a
thunderbolt. He sat down and reassessed his career. One of his first
moves was to quit drinking entirely and devote himself to the straightest
and narrowest of roads.
It is now 14
months since a drop of any kind of liquor passed his lips. As a
result, Torrance -- never the most svelte of figures -- lost 28
pounds. He also recaptured his golf game for a second time, winning
the 1998 French Open for his 31st career victory.
The first time
his game went south was in 1992. That was because of the yips. The
man who sank that historic 15-footer against Andy North on the 18th
green at The Belfry in 1985 had lost his nerve on the greens.
It was as simple
as that. He slumped to career low of 62nd in the Euro money list
seven years ago and knew something drastic had to be done or his
career was over.
But what? The
long, broomhandle putter had been seen around practice putting greens
for some time, but Torrance was the first man to have the nerve,
temerity, guts -- call it what you will -- to take it out in public
and face the scorn of both the paying spectators and his peers.
TW 7/1/99
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