Torrance eager to begin

SAM TORRANCE becomes the latest new kid on the block when he makes his European Seniors Tour debut at the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open that starts at The Roxburghe Golf Club today.

The former Ryder Cup captain turned 50 on Sunday and makes his first appearance against a strong field.

The Scot, who won 21 times during a sparkling 30-year career on the European Tour, said: “This is a moment I have been looking forward to for the last three or four years. I can honestly say I have been counting the days until I reached 50 and its particularly special because I will be making my debut in front of my home fans.

“Scottish fans have always been good to me and I’d like to think I normally do well when I am playing in front of them.”

Torrance, who arrived in Kelso after a two-month break spent recuperating from knee surgery, added: “I am bound to be a bit rusty because I haven’t played any competitive golf since June but the good news is that my knee is a lot better and I am raring to go.

“Ideally I’d have loved to make my debut at last month’s Senior British Open at Turnberry but my mum and dad were a little bit slow for that!”

Torrance will be endeavouring to extend an incredible run that has seen Scottish golfers win three out of the last four events on the Seniors Tour. Bill Longmuir got the ball rolling when he won his second title of the season at the De Vere PGA Seniors Championship and in the last two weeks John Chillas has won the Travis Perkins Masters and Mike Miller has claimed the Nigel Mansell Classic.

Torrance added: “The guys have done brilliant and like to think I can keep the run going. But I’m certainly not expecting just to waltz in here and take over. There are a lot of good golfers out here.”