Torrance: Woosie should be next captain

Sam Torrance is backing Ian Woosnam to succeed him as Europe's Ryder Cup captain.

"I think Woosie should be the next captain," said Torrance ahead of the start of the Lancome Trophy.

"He was fantastic as a vice-captain and he was great with the players."

Torrance has said he will not return as captain for the next Ryder Cup, to be staged in 2004 at Oakland Hills in the Detroit suburbs.

Woosnam has said he would be interested in the job in 2010, when the Cup is scheduled for the Celtic Manor course near Newport.

But Torrance suggested he should take over sooner than that.

"He'll be 53 then and I think it would be a bit late," Torrance said. "I think he'd be a bit too old and not in regular touch with the players on the circuit."