TORRANCE THUMBS UP FOR PGA HAT-TRICK BID

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY PGA
Twelve months after a hand injury curtailed his challenge, Sam Torrance has given the thumbs up to his bid to land the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
The Ryder Cup stalwart is brimming with confidence as he targets a hat-trick of PGA titles when he returns to De Vere Slaley Hall next month.
The in-form Scot, who is one of the star names in the £250,000 championship which returns to the Northumberland resort for the third successive year from June 24-27, had to withdraw during the second round last year when he injured his thumb.
But as he targets a successful defence of the John Jacobs Order of Merit Trophy and a fourth time in all since joining the senior circuit in 2005, Torrance can reflect on a more than healthy start to the season.
Three top five finishes in four appearances so far including a share of second place in the last event, the Berenberg Bank Masters in South Africa, have catapulted him to second in the Order of Merit behind runaway leader Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand.
“I’ve had a great start to the 2010 season and I’m targeting a successful defence of the Order of Merit so Slaley Hall would be a nice place to get another victory to help me towards that goal,” said Torrance.
“There will be a strong field, as always for the PGA Seniors Championship, but with the way I’m playing at the moment I feel confident every time I go out on the course so I’m looking forward to it.”
Torrance has notched up 11 wins since joining the European Senior Tour in 2003 and two of those victories included back-to-back PGA Senior Championship titles in 2005 and ‘06.
He admits that it would be a dream to land a third title and join an illustrious group including defending champion Carl Mason and past greats like Christy O’Connor and Neil Coles who managed six and four victories respectively.
“The PGA Seniors Championship is one of the biggest events on the Senior Tour schedule and it is one every player would like to win,” added Torrance.“I’ve managed to do it twice in the past and it would be fantastic to get the hat-trick.''
Daniel Hodson, director of golf and leisure for De Vere, commented: “Once again, we are thrilled to have Sam in the field for the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship. His tournament was unfortunately cut short last year, but having won the 2009 European Senior Tour Order of Merit I am sure he will be towards the top of the leaderboard at the end of the week this time around.
“Sam is a great character and having played in eight Ryder Cups and won across the world is a real legend of the game. We’re thrilled to have him in the field and look forward to welcoming him to Slaley Hall next month.”
Golf fans can see Torrance tee up with a free download ticket available on www.devere.co.uk/pga-seniorsends