Ryder Cup: Torrance has faith in euro fans

European captain Sam Torrance is confident that this year’s Ryder Cup will not be marred by the disgraceful scenes of Brookline two years ago.

European captain Sam Torrance is confident that this year’s Ryder Cup will not be marred by the disgraceful scenes of Brookline two years ago.

America’s amazing come-from-behind win was overshadowed by crowd abuse and barracking aimed at European players.

But Torrance feels that fans flocking to The Belfry in September will rise above the temptation to reap revenge on the visiting side.

Speaking on BBC1’s On Side programme, the Scot said: ‘‘We can just rely on the good judgement of the European support which we’ve always had and which has never stepped out of line before.

‘‘So why should they do it now? I don’t think it will happen.’’

Torrance accepts that in the heat of battle it is almost impossible not to celebrate a mistake by an opposition player.

But he believes that is an acceptable practice, so long as it does not spill over into off-putting comments before shots have been made.

‘‘I don’t mind that. You can’t help it,’’ admitted Torrance. ‘‘If someone hits the ball in the water it’s not right to shout out, but you can’t help it.

‘‘What I abhor is the shouting during a shot, or before a shot. Like Monty got a lot of stick the last time.

‘‘When he had chips beside the green, and when he’s about to play someone shouts ’duff it’, or whatever, that’s not right.

‘‘That’s a thing that can never happen again and hopefully it won’t happen again. We’ll have plenty of security there and if anyone starts that they’ll be ejected immediately.’’

Torrance was very outspoken in his criticism of the American players for their over-exuberant and premature celebrations as they closed in on victory last time around.

But he insists that he stands by everything he said at the time.

‘‘I said what I said because I felt it had to be said,’’ he added. ‘‘If you asked me now to say it again, I’d say it again. I do think it was disgusting what happened.

‘‘It was totally out with what the Ryder Cup is about and what sport is about. I won’t reverse what I said.

‘‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said it when I did, but there was no other time to say it.’’

However, Torrance is now hoping that his side can be inspired by that crushing last-day defeat in Brookline.

He said: ‘‘The greatest asset I’ve got is that most of the team that are going to be there were at Brookline not because of the incident or anything like that, but because they were on a losing team.

‘‘There is nothing worse than being on a losing team. They will all take that with us to the next one.

‘‘Yes, I do think we can win it back. We’ve got great strength in our team now.’’

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