SAM TORRANCE THREE OFF THE PACE WITH
70 IN WENTWORTH SENIOR MASTERS

By GRAEME HAMLETT
Press Officer, European Seniors Tour

Sam Torrance is within three shots of the Wentworth Senior Master leader, Japan’s Katsuyoshi Tomori, after opening his tournament with a two under par round of 70.
However, the Scot was not happy with his score, after dropping a shot on the last hole after finding the fairway bunker from the tee and taking two to get out. He said: “It’s okay, not great, because it was a perfect day and the pins were set up easy. But it’s not pay day yet, and I’m still in contention.”
After his tied tenth place finish at The British Senior Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at Muirfield, Torrance has been enjoying a fine week upon returning to his southern home in Virginia Water.
On Thursday evening at Wentworth Club, Torrance collected the John Jacobs Trophy at the annual European Seniors Tour Dinner, for his success in topping the 2006 European Seniors Tour Order of Merit, and also The Rolex Trophy, an award voted for by the players – each for the second consecutive year.
It proved the perfect pre-tournament boost for Torrance, who said: “It was a lovely evening and I went out this morning feeling good.” The 2004 Wentworth Senior Masters champion once more found the Edinburgh Course to his liking, on a beautiful, benign sunny day in Surrey.
After opening with five pars and then a bogey six at the 555 yard par five seventh hole, courtesy of a three-putt, Torrance rallied with three consecutive birdies around the turn to reach two under par through ten holes.
It was a real family affair for Torrance, who, as well as having son Daniel on his bag, had the support of his wife Danielle, and two daughters Phoebe and Anouska, throughout his round.
He gave his watching family plenty more moments to cheer, as he continued his fine play on the back nine, recording a further birdie on the 13th to go to three under par, only to give it back at the 15th. Another birdie came on 17, before his dropped shot at the last after finding the sand.
The Scottish challenge for Argentine Eduardo Romero’s title continued when John Chillas matched Torrance’s score. Chillas, who turned 56 on Tuesday, has struggled for form in 2007, but said he enjoyed the Edinburgh Course and his score that leaves him tied fifth place.
LEADERBOARD
67 K Tomori (Jap).
68 D J Russell (Eng).
69 B Cameron (Eng), T Gale (Aus).
70 J Chillas (Sco), S Torrance (Sco), C Mason (Eng), D Smyth (Ire), G Watine (Fra).
Other scores:
73 M Gray (Sco) (jt 26th).
74 B Longmuir (Sco) (jt 44th).
79 M Miller (Sco) (jt 66th).
81 B McColl (Sco) (jt 70th).