Ryder Cup: Sam Torrance happy to stay in shadows as vice-captain

Sam Torrance captained Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup in 2002

Sam Torrance is content to stay in the background when Paul McGinley leads Europe's Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles.

As a former winning skipper, Torrance knows what will be required when Europe attempt to retain the trophy they won in dramatic fashion two years ago.

But the 60-year-old Scot is happy to act as "sweeper" in his role as vice-captain along with Ireland's Des Smyth.

"I'm happy to take a background role this time, in the shadows," explained Torrance.

"The analogy I use is curling, when the skip lets go of the stone and Smythy and I are the two sweepers, clearing the way for Paul all the way to the cup."

Torrance excelled as captain at the Belfry in 2002 when Europe beat the United States by three points.

He believes McGinley - who holed the winning putt in 2002 - will do a fine job when the Irishman takes charge in September.

"Importantly I think he's not a daunting captain," added Torrance. "To me the captain sometimes appeared like your headmaster at school, someone you didn't really want to bump into.

"Paul's not going to be like that at all. He's going to be a great captain, I really do believe that."