Golf Comment: Ryder Cup role like being honoured by Queen
IT’S a great privilege to be asked to be part of another European Ryder Cup team, and I thank Paul McGinley for making me a vice-captain and for his kind words.
It’s like receiving an honour from the Queen; I’d known for some time that I’d get the role but hadn’t been free to speak about it.
The role itself is to be a buffer between players and captain. The captain is like the headmaster, and if players are having problems they can prefer talking to a vice-captain.
I’ll also have to be an extra pair of eyes for Paul, during practice and when matches get under way. He can only be in one place at any one time.
Wales’s Jamie Donaldson moved closer to qualifying by tying for second at the WGC Cadillac Championship, one shot behind winner Patrick Reed.
Stephen Gallacher and Graeme McDowell, two more hoping for another Ryder Cup appearance, also enjoyed top-10 finishes.
Reed played beautifully all week for his third PGA Tour title, and second of the year.
This was the 23-year-old’s biggest win yet, and afterwards he talked of being among the world’s current top five. His ranking is now No20, so he’ll have to keep going.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam