Star burning bright for Sam while Seve's wanes
The names of Sam Torrance and Seve Ballesteros, main drawcards in this week's Star Alliance Open in Hong Kong, currently appear at either end of the leaderboard of life. Torrance is riding high with a fresh focus and a revitalised long game while Ballesteros is struggling to turn the clock back.
The duo, who will put the star in the US$300,000 Star Alliance Open which tees off on Thursday at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, are sure to cut markedly different figures on the course during the Davidoff Tour event.
Scotland's Torrance, who has thrown himself headlong into his role as captain of next year's European Ryder Cup team, is enjoying something of a resurgence in form at 47 thanks to a 'fly further' golf ball. Ballesteros, whose only golfing highlight in the past five years was leading the Europeans to Ryder Cup victory in 1997, is plugging along manfully yet painfully in top level competition although his 'A' game has long since deserted him.
Torrance, who sank the winning putt for the Europeans in the 1985 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, is thrilled at the prospect of returning to the English course as captain of the squad next year. 'They might have to lock me up or tie me down, but I've got myself into shape to play and that was nerve-racking, so I know I can cope with the captaincy,' he said. 'I'll take the blame for everything because, after all the hoo-hah, on the Thursday night I get to pick the team. My team. My boys.'
Torrance, who has won 21 titles on the European Tour, is also upbeat about his play at the moment thanks to a new Titleist ball. 'I am as keen as mustard to tee it up,' he said. 'I used the new ball in the Italian Open last week and led after the first round. I was like a dog with two tails.'
Torrance did not compete in the end-of-season Volvo Masters in Spain which finished yesterday but Ballesteros endured another on course nightmare. The 43-year-old opened with an 80 before repairing some of the damage with a 72. But on day three he suffered the ignominy of finding himself without a golf ball on the final hole. After driving into the water at the 18th, he searched in vain for a golf ball in his bag and had to send his caddy off to the clubhouse for a new supply so he could finish his round.
He cut a sad figure after carding a 74 but the battler inside was not beaten. 'What am I supposed to do? I can't pack up: golf is my passion,' he replied to suggestions that this latest incident might be a symbolic hint that he should give up tournament play.
Ballesteros was the first true golfing superstar, an exciting and cavalier player who has won 88 titles worldwide including three British Open and two US Masters titles. He has been the inspiration for millions of golfers worldwide and the galleries that will flock to see him in action at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club will be hoping that the muse, who has been posted missing for most of the last decade, will return to inspire Ballesteros.
