Sam Torrance: Europe Ready for U.S. Crowd, Scheffler & DeChambeau Pairing Key, Ryder Cup Overtakes LIV Debate

Ben Mendelowitz Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

_{Featured Image: HNHER6 SAM TORRANCE SCOTLAND 29 May 1998 - CREDIT: Alamy}

WHAT TO KNOW:

• Sam Torrance believes the U.S. crowd will be the Americans’ biggest advantage.
• He says Europe’s players are fully adapted to American courses thanks to their PGA Tour cards, meaning Bethpage Black won’t pose surprises.
• Torrance doesn’t think the USA has a clear edge in player quality — calling it “a big melting pot of good players.”
• He’s especially curious about how Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau are paired, warning that past superstar duos (like Tiger and Phil) didn’t always click.
• On LIV players at the Ryder Cup: “It overtakes everything”, Torrance says, the only thing that matters is having the best team possible.

Sam Torrance knows what it takes to win a Ryder Cup - one of the most hyped tournaments in the golf calendar. The former Ryder Cup captain and veteran of eight European squads spoke with us about the American team’s strengths, Europe’s chances on U.S. soil, and how LIV players fit into the mix.

(This Q&A has been lightly edited for clarity while keeping all answers intact.)

What do you make of the American team? Think they go in as favorites when it comes to quality?

Torrance: Obviously, they have Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau. We know what DeChambeau is going to come up with. He is always a very special man.

They've got some great players in there, but they have not been in their best form lately.

If you compare the two teams, what specific strengths do you see for the Americans that give them a clear edge? And what European strengths make you cautious about an American victory at home?

Torrance: No, I don't think the USA is better. We have better players than them, and they have better players than us. It's just a big melting pot of good players together, and then we will see who comes out best.

The big advantage they have is the crowd. That is a huge advantage, really a huge plus.
It is going to be all American and I have heard about the tickets being heavily in America's favour. I think it was about 90% of the tickets that went to Americans.

But it doesn't really matter to us. The first two or three roars might be an American roar, but when the blood is pumping and the heart is thumping, you are just ready to go.

The noise from the crowd is just something you have to contend with. It'll be looked at so closely by Luke over the last four years and it will be talked to the team about it and they'll all understand what is coming.

Hopefully, it won't bother them.

Europe hasn’t won on U.S. soil since 2012. Will home course advantage prove to be a big pressure point for the Americans? Do you think the American squad has it in them to absorb that pressure?

Torrance: They wouldn't try any harder at home than they would away. Maybe a slight advantage to be the home team.

Europe hasn't won on American soil since 2012 but it's been even longer since the Americans won in Europe.

But it shouldn't be a problem.

Adaptation can possibly be a tough point but virtually all of team Europe play in America.

All our players play in America. Of course, they come back to play in Europe, when they can.

But they all got the American cards, and they know everything about America and American courses. There’s no hiding place and there’s nothing to be hidden at Bethpage Black.

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Any matchups that you’re looking forward to the most?

Torrance: For the USA, the pairing I want to see is just a losing one (laughs). I am biased, as you know.

It will be interesting to see where Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau play, because I think they are their best players.

My father always used to say, as a teacher, never strengthen your weak, to weaken your strength. So do you put two great players out together, which didn't work all that well years ago when they put Tiger and Phil Mickelson together. They didn't gel at all. I don't think they'll have that problem this time.

Even the LIV players like DeChambeau. They all know each other really well, they know their games and they probably know who they want to play with. That would be great for Keegan Bradley and they can suggest what works for them.

What about the view from fans when it comes to LIV golfers at the Ryder Cup?

Torrance: This is the Ryder Cup. It overtakes everything. I don't care where you get your team from.

You have to make the best team you can for America and for Europe, whether they play in LIV or not.

Ben Mendelowitz

Ben Mendelowitz is a Digital PR expert who has a keen interest in a variety of sports. His research has been featured in USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Patch and Fortune, amongst other media outlets. Ben is based in London, and is a big fan of Chelsea. More from Ben Mendelowitz