War of words over Torrance's 10th tee remark

EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance had to make a humiliating climb down yesterday as the result of an unfortunate comment made during a press conference.

At issue was the location of the tee at the famous 310 yards par four 10th where the green is driveable providing players avoid the towering trees, the lake and the little stream in front on all sides of the putting surface. When playing from the back tee, most will lay up with six or seven irons but in the fourballs several may be tempted to let loose. But if the tee marker is pushed forward 20 yards or so, most go for broke and that, of course, appeals hugely to the fans.

Torrance insisted all along that only the back tee will be used and his American counterpart Curtis Strange has also been reassured on this point by Sam and chief referee John Paramore.