Torrance says place in world's top 50 is

essential for Ryder Cup hopefuls

FROM THE SCOTSMAN. SPORT.COM WEBSITE
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Sam Torrance has said that he believes it will be almost impossible for players outside the top 50 in the world to make the European team for next year's Ryder Cup in Wales.
The race for places in Colin Montgomerie's side starts in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland tomorrow and Torrance, who captained Europe to victory at The Belfry in 2002, will be watching with interest over the next 12 months.Speaking yesterday at Archerfield Links, where he was playing in an invitational pro-am hosted by D J Russell, Torrance revealed that he sees the contenders being those players who are exempt for the majors and the WCG events.
"I think it is going to be extremely difficult for anyone outside the top 50 in the world to make this Ryder Cup team," he commented. "I wouldn't say it is impossible but it's going to be damn near it, I'm afraid."
That view was also expressed by some players during last week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Frenchman Gregory Havret believes he'll require at least two wins on the European Tour in the next 12 months to have a chance of playing at Celtic Manor, while Scotland's Alastair Forsyth said victory in an event like the BMW Championship at Wentworth was a minimum requirement.
Torrance also reckons Montgomerie won't be sickened by the Ryder Cup, his fellow Scot having jokingly said that he'd shoot anyone who mentioned the event the day after the match finished in Wales.
"The Ryder Cup certainly isn't suffocating," added Torrance. "It is the greatest thing I've ever done in my life and Colin should relish and enjoy every moment of it. I certainly didn't mind anyone coming up to me the day after the match at The Belfry and mentioning the Ryder Cup to me – far from it."
Paul Lawrie is hoping he can push himself into the frame for Montgomerie's team, the Aberdonian having been given a new lease by the looks of things after recently linking up with Sam's dad, Bob, one of the most respected coaches in the game.
Lawrie finished third at Gleneagles on Sunday and Torrance was among those impressed by the former Open champion's performance over the PGA Centenary Course.
"I was watching on TV and I have to say that I thought Paul's swing was magnificent," he said. "Who knows if working with my dad is what Paul needed at this stage of his career but it is certainly paying off for him at the moment."
Torrance is hoping the performances of Lawrie and Gary Orr, who closed with a 64 to finish fifth behind Swede Peter Hedblom, could spark an upturn in fortune for Scotland's professionals over the coming months. He added:
"One question I've been asked a lot over the last year or so is about the lack of top Scottish golfers. But I believe there are loads of top Scottish golfers around and it's just a case of them making the breakthrough.
"For instance, I am waiting on the Saltman brothers to kick on as they are an exceptional golfing family. It just needs something to happen for them."
Torrance was joined at Archerfield Links by another former Ryder Cup captain, Ian Woosnam, who is adamant he won't be persuaded to be part of Montgomerie's backroom team at Celtic Manor in just over 12 months' time.
"I'm going to be keeping the commitments I've made," said the man who led Europe to a record-equalling win at The K Club in 2006. "I'm an Ambassador for Wales and that's what I'll be doing at Celtic Manor."