Torrance backs Westy, G-Mac
Ryder Cup vice-captain Sam Torrance has backed Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell to both be in the European side come September.
Neither of those two mainstays are currently within the top nine on the points list who will automatically qualify for the bi-annual competition, though captain Paul McGinley can add to that list with three wildcard picks.
“Obviously we want Lee in the team,” Torrance told Reuters from Gleneagles, the Ryder Cup venue.
“He is a fantastic player and we’d love him in there. I don’t think his form over the last few months is of any concern to Paul.
“I think he should put him in the team straight away, he’s a man for the big occasion. The same applies to G-Mac, I’m sure he’ll be in the team,” added Torrance.
With close to two months to go before the team is finalised, the current automatic qualifiers are Victor Dubuisson, Henrik Stenson, Jamie Donaldson, Thomas Bjorn, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose and Luke Donald.
“Our team is looking very strong at the moment,” said Torrance.
“There are a couple of names not in it while Donald is right on the borderline and my fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher is another I would like to see in the team.
“But it’s impossible to say what the final team is going to be at this stage. There are still two months to go and lots of big events to play so there could be huge changes yet.”
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