Sam Torrance has criticised Nick Faldo for labelling Sergio Garcia “useless” on the eve of September’s Ryder Cup.

When Tom Watson was appointed captain of the US Ryder Cup team he talked openly about having finishers in his team — players capable of closing the deal when the chips were down — and yesterday in the morning fourballs he got his wish.

European vice-captain Sam Torrance has backed his side’s rookies to thrive under the pressure of the Ryder Cup and make the most of the “huge” advantage of playing at home.

From the outside Paul McGinley and Ian Poulter may not look to have too much in common, but on one subject they are happy to agree. If their respective careers end up being defined by the Ryder Cup, then so be it.

It hardly mattered that he didn’t make a birdie and missed the cut comfortably after a sad 78.

European Ryder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth will get an early chance to reacquaint himself with the rigours of the role when he teams up with Miguel Angel Jimenez for the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia in two weeks.

European captain Paul McGinley today named Sam Torrance and Des Smyth as his first two vice-captains for September’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

The composition of Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup backroom team for Gleneagles in September should become a little clearer today when the Dubliner hosts a European Tour press conference in his home town.

Reigning Irish Open champion Paul Casey continues to stake his claim for a return to Ryder Cup action next year after another impressive display on day two of the Seve Trophy in France.

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has expressed disappointment Shane Lowry is not in France for the Seve Trophy, commencing in France today.

Jose Maria Olazabal and Sam Torrance will lead the respective teams in the Seve Trophy in France this October.

Stephen King loves scaring people, but a curious university student couldn’t resist trying to find out what scares the horror master.

It is a telephone call that has been described as “evil” and it could be Pádraig Harrington on the receiving end later this week.

The most dramatic Morton mile took place in front a large crowd at Santry Stadium, which included An Toaiseach Enda Kenny, just 2 days prior to the opening of the Olympic Games.

IF a change is as good as a rest, then Pádraig Harrington can expect to mount a challenge for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club exactly two years after he finished second to Tiger Woods in a thrilling finish.

MONEY rules — as thousands who understandably advocate the return of the Irish Open to Killarney for a third successive year may soon learn to their regret.

BOB TORRANCE will wait for prodigal pupil Pádraig Harrington to return to the fold after the three-time Major winner announced a break from his long-time coach, but the 79-year-old believes the Dubliner is heading down the wrong road in his career.

England’s Simon Dyson completed a month to remember by winning the Irish Open in Killarney today.

Padraig Harrington has decided he needs a break from Bob Torrance, the coach who helped him win his three majors and whom he has called “a genius”.

THE more putts that dropped, the more the crowd swelled around Colm Moriarty. This, he said to himself, is where he wants to be.

Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance believes Colin Montgomerie should pick Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Luke Donald as his wild-card selections this evening for the match against the United States at Celtic Manor.

The second round of the Johnnie Walker Championship has resumed at Gleneagles today following a 30-minute due to fog.

FORMER Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance says Pádraig Harrington, Justin Rose and Paul Casey would be his wildcard picks to face the USA.

ACCORDING to legendary golfer Christy O’Connor Junior, the Irish Open “is more like a festival than a golf tournament”.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON might only be one place ahead of Rory McIlroy in the world rankings but the gulf in experience between the three-time major winner and the young Ulsterman was evident as they prepared for next week’s Masters Tournament at the Shell Houston Open.

IT has been another good year on the European Seniors Tour for Ireland’s Denis O’Sullivan.

Sam Torrance believes the fact Colin Montgomerie is still in a playing capacity will boost Europe’s chances of success at the next year’s Ryder Cup.

PADRAIG Harrington remains very much in contention for another big finish in the BMW Championship at Cog Hill, Chicago, and a chance at the $10 million jackpot on offer at the end of the US Tour’s FedEx Series in two weeks time.

TIGER WOODS has praised Pádraig Harrington’s work ethic and believes the Irishman is a great role model for youngsters.

FRED Funk set a record halfway total at The British Senior Open presented by MasterCard but Sunningdale expert Sam Torrance is hot on his heels going into the weekend.

TOM WATSON says messages of support from American troops he visited in Iraq have helped him put his British Open Championship disappointment into perspective.

TOM WATSON can’t understand what he’s trying to do. Likewise, Peter Alliss.

IF Tiger Woods gets his putter working and manages to keep his golf ball in play for a reasonable amount of the time over the next four days, there can be no doubt as to who will be holding the claret jug on Sunday evening.

PÁDRAIG Harrington continues to confuse and confound. One week he’s telling us ‘there will no more tinkering with my swing’ but now two days before he bids to win the Open Championship for the third successive year, he talks of ‘little changes’ which have followed from consultations with swing coach Bob Torrance.

WHILE deriving a degree of satisfaction from winning the Irish Professional Championship for the sixth time and the third year in a row, at the European Club on Saturday, Pádraig Harrington admitted that he’s “still clutching at straws” with regard to getting his game into shape for a successful defence of the Open Championship at Turnberry this week.

BALLYBUNION is rarely visited by a north-easterly wind gusting to over 20 miles per hour but when it happens, the famous golf links becomes a seriously testing challenge.

SAM TORRANCE has described Ireland’s Rory McIlroy as the ‘hottest prospect to have emerged in 20 years’.

England’s Ross McGowan was the man to catch again when the Estoril Portuguese Open began today as Irish golfers maintained a close chase.

Sam Torrance’s 705th event on the European Tour – a record by more than 80 - did not begin in the manner he envisaged today.

Former Ryder Cup captains Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance have thrown their weight behind fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie’s bid to lead Europe in Wales in 2010.

Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance has added his voice to the dissenters who have criticised Nick Faldo for selecting Ian Poulter over Darren Clarke for this month’s clash against the USA.

American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger teased opposite number Nick Faldo today over the resignation of his assistant Paul McGinley.

AMERICAN Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger teased opposite number Nick Faldo yesterday over the resignation of his assistant Paul McGinley.

American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger teased opposite number Nick Faldo today over the resignation of his assistant Paul McGinley.