Sam Torrance: Rory McIlroy’s decision to focus on the PGA Tour is the right one and can help him be successful in 2019 January 7, 2019 Rory McIlroy began the final day of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in second place and in contention for the first trophy of the new year. Unfortunately he shot a final round of 72 to finish tied fourth as Xander Schauffele’s amazing 11-under-par 62 saw the American claim the prize. For McIlroy there was one [...]
Sam Torrance: Europe’s Ryder Cup success tops the bill in my golfing highlights of 2018 December 17, 2018 From Europe's Ryder Cup glory to Francesco Molinari's breakthrough and a British Major winner in Georgia Hall, it has been a vintage year for golf. Here, Sam Torrance picks his highlights from 2018. 1. Pulverised in Paris Europe didn’t just beat the United States at this year’s Ryder Cup; they outclassed, out-thought and comprehensively out-played a [...]
Sam Torrance: Louis Oosthuizen is a laid-back farmer who happens to be a brilliant golfer December 10, 2018 When Louis Oosthuizen announced his talent to the world by winning the Open Championship in 2010, he celebrated by buying a custom-built tractor for his farm back home in South Africa. That tells you a lot about Oosthuizen. He is a wonderful guy who is not desperately keen on fame, loves being at home on [...]
Sam Torrance: Majors and world No1 spot are next on agenda for rare talent Jon Rahm December 3, 2018 Players of Jon Rahm’s quality come around so rarely and he has already achieved so much in his short career – it is almost like when Usain Bolt burst onto the scene in athletics. So when Rahm puts in performances like the one he mustered at the Hero World Challenge at the weekend, it’s no [...]
Sam Torrance: Belgium’s young bucks Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry are ones to watch in 2019 November 26, 2018 Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry are really good golfers with beautiful swings so I was delighted to see them claim the World Cup of Golf for Belgium in Melbourne on Sunday. Pieters is a bit of a puzzle. Having announced himself on the European Tour with a couple of wins in the second half of [...]
Sam Torrance: Sheer hard work earned Danny Willett a long overdue return to winning ways November 19, 2018 Five holes into the back nine at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday and it was starting to look very dodgy for leader Danny Willett. The Englishman – winless since his Masters victory two and a half years ago – had bogeyed twice since the turn and was now just one shot [...]
Sam Torrance: Tasty vintage Lee Westwood is playing as well as ever November 12, 2018 Lee Westwood swung as well as I have seen him swing for a long, long time on his way to a magnificent victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in South Africa on Sunday. The Englishman, 45, hadn’t won for four years but looked oustanding all week and some of the golf produced [...]
Sam Torrance: Justin Rose is a genius, a grandmaster of golf and in the prime of his career November 5, 2018 Justin Rose made a welcome return to the top of the world rankings by defending his Turkish Airlines Open title on Sunday but only after an incredible and fascinating finish to the tournament. Having played magnificent golf all week, Rose gave overnight leader Li Haotong fresh hope by bogeying the 17th and 18th holes – [...]
Sam Torrance: Schauffele’s Ryder Cup revenge on Finau will help him develop in his career October 29, 2018 Xander Schauffele produced an excellent finish to beat compatriot Tony Finau in a play-off and win the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai over the weekend. The 25-year-old American shot three consecutive birdies on the final two holes and in the sudden death par-five to claim a third PGA title and put a winless season behind him. [...]
Sam Torrance: Brooks Koepka is a deserving world No1 and has what it takes to stay at the top October 22, 2018 Brooks Koepka is the new world No1 after another extraordinary win at the weekend, this time at the CJ Cup in South Korea, lifted him above fellow American Dustin Johnson – and he totally deserves it. Koepka and Johnson are long-time friends and training buddies but the former has eclipsed the latter this year. DJ [...]