Torrance: Clarke would have been my choice

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.

Faldo opted for Poulter – runner-up in The Open at Royal Birkdale – and fellow Englishman Paul Casey instead of Ulsterman Clarke as his two wild card picks for Europe’s defence of the trophy at Valhalla, Kentucky.

Poulter’s selection has created the most controversy and Torrance can see why. He also cannot understand why Faldo has not surrounded himself with a bigger backroom team.

“For me it was always Casey and Clarke I would have gone for, although I can understand Poulter made it a very difficult choice for Nick,” said the Scot, who captained Europe to success in the 2002 Ryder Cup having holed the winning putt in 1985.

“He saw some great golf from Poulter on the final day of the Open. It was a great performance by Ian who could easily have won it.

“But I think Ian made an error by not playing at Gleneagles (where he could have earned an automatic Ryder Cup place in last week’s Johnnie Walker Championship).

“He would have got a yellow card from me over that.”

Torrance also expected the hugely-experienced Colin Montgomerie to be brought on board as a second vice-captain alongside Jose Maria Olazabal, having failed to qualify by right for the team or earn a captain’s pick.

However, there has been some suggestion that Poulter and Montgomerie do not get on, which could have put paid to the Scot’s involvement behind the scenes, although Faldo’s own relationship with his former team-mate has at times been awkward.

“I was a wee bit surprised at that decision. From my experience it is very difficult to get everything right on an occasion like this,” said Torrance, speaking at the launch of the BMW Urban Golf Cup challenge in London’s Soho.

“When I was captain in 2002 I had three assistants but if he’s decided to do it this way then that is his choice.

“I would have had at least one extra vice-captain if I were him now but my main advice to Nick would be just to go and enjoy it.

“Winning the Ryder Cup as captain felt a million miles better to me than winning it as a player.

“I was very relaxed as a player and, of course, you can’t be tense in that situation.

“And if you show you are tense as a captain and keep running about from one situation to another, it can give the wrong message to the players.”

Torrance is optimistic of Europe’s chances of successfully defending the trophy in Louisville, having dominated the event over the last decade.

“I think it is looking good for us. We are going for six wins in seven and we are certainly favourites,” he said.

“We have a strong team but in the end it is down to how the 12 players on each side perform on the occasion.

“But the Americans are a good side, too, and Paul Azinger’s a good captain.

“You have to remember that the course will be set up to suit them – which is only to be expected – and the result is certainly no formality.”