Golf: We've not given into terrorists - Torrance

Sam Torrance said today that the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year was not giving in to terrorism.

The match, due to start at The Belfry in 10 days, has been put back to next September, when Torrance and American captain Curtis Strange will lead the same two sides.

‘‘Cancelling or postponing the Ryder Cup is not giving in - it’s showing the enormity of the situation,’’ said Torrance at the European tour headquarters at Wentworth, Surrey.

‘‘It’s showing that this is the worst thing that has happened in our lifetime. Golf is nothing.

‘‘I don’t think security fears came into it either. Once the players were at home in the bosom of their families the enormity hit home.

‘‘I for one would not have wanted to move for a long time. I have three young children growing up in a new world and that’s what I am thinking about.

‘‘It’s been difficult to function since it happened and it still is. My next tournament is scheduled to be the German Masters (in two weeks), but I don’t know. I don’t feel like playing.

‘‘I would imagine it is very difficult for anybody to concentrate on anything.

‘‘I think it is right that the match goes ahead, but not at this moment. This is going to hit us for a long time.

‘‘We’ve all been dumbfounded. This has put a whole lot of things into perspective. We are in a different world now.

‘‘Everyone I have spoken to since last Tuesday has been walking around like zombies and asking ‘What has happened to the world?’

‘‘I am glad I’m in my 30th year on tour and not my first.’’

The 48-year-old Scot was referring to all the travelling today’s players are now required to do - travelling which is certain to take a lot longer from now on with greater fears about security.

When the time for the match comes, however, Torrance believes it is inevitable that there will be none of the antagonism of recent encounters.

‘‘I think the match will now be played in a better spirit. There will be more respect for everybody now. And the match is bound to be more subdued even a year from now.’’