SAM TORRANCE TARGETS TURNBERRY TRIUMPH JULY 26-29

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOURScotland’s Sam Torrance is targeting a sentimental ‘home’ victory when The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex returns to Turnberry for a record seventh time from July 26-29.

The 2002 Ryder Cup Captain was born in Largs, less than 60 miles up the Ayrshire coastline from Turnberry, and he rates the iconic Ailsa Course as one of his favourite golfing backdrops.
Torrance came close to winning The Senior Open Championship in 2009 when it was played at Sunningdale, the venue he is a member of close to his Surrey home, finishing two shots behind winner Loren Roberts in fifth position.
The 58 year old hopes returning to his native west coast of Scotland can inspire him again as he attempts to become the first Scot since Brian Barnes in 1995 and 1996 to win The Senior Open Championship.
“It would mean everything to me to win The Senior Open,” said Torrance. “It is the week after The Open Championship and we should get great crowds at Turnberry.
He added: “I’ve not done what I would like to do at Turnberry in the past – I missed the cut in my last Open there – but it is a place that inspires you and I can’t wait to get there.”
Torrance, who this year marks the 40th anniversary of his maiden professional victory, has amassed an impressive collection of accolades in his career, including 21 European Tour titles, eight Ryder Cup appearances as well as his triumphant captaincy ten years ago, 11 Senior Tour titles and three Senior Tour Order of Merits.
However, success in the Major Championships has so far eluded him, with fifth place in The 1981 Open Championship at Royal St George’s ranking as his best performance to date, alongside his display at Sunningdale three years ago.
With the support of the Scottish fans behind him, Torrance believes Turnberry would be the perfect venue to add another prestigious title to his glittering CV.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Torrance. “Aesthetically it (Turnberry) is one of the most beautiful looking courses in the world, in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and it is a great golf course.
“There will be a very strong field and I’m sure that Tom Watson is looking forward to going back to Turnberry. I’m sure that the Scottish fans will come out to watch him – I might even go and watch him myself. He can play that course like his home course.
“The Senior Open is always special, no matter where it is played, but it is extra special when it is played in Scotland. I’m from that area – I was born about an hour and a half from Turnberry – so it will be special.”
Discounted advance tickets to watch Torrance and many more of the game’s iconic names in action at The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex can now be purchased online.
Season passes now available at £60 and any one day tickets at £18. They can be booked online at www.europeantourtickets.com, where other discounts and offers can also be found.
American Russ Cochran won The 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath, England, holding off the challenge of former Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia, three-time Senior Open Champion Tom Watson and 2010 United States Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin.
Hospitality packages are also now available at £95 per person inc VAT, which includes admittance to the course along with a three-course lunch and glass of champagne in Turnberry’s signature restaurant, 1906, reserved parking, a Championship programme and a draw sheet.