Torrance calls time on Ryder Cup captaincy

Sam Torrance abruptly ended any speculation that he will carry on as Europe's Ryder Cup captain by ruling himself out of the role for Oakland Hills in two years' time. Torrance, who will join the Seniors Tour next season, admitted it would be tempting to defend the Cup won at The Belfry last Sunday but felt it would not be the right decision.

"I feel if I was selected for the captaincy again it would be the sentimental choice rather than the reasonable choice," Torrance said. "By the time of the next match I will have been on the Seniors Tour for two years and won't have been playing with the players week in, week out, as I did this time.

"Without seeing the guys regularly, I don't think I'd have the same rapport and wouldn't necessarily be able to recreate the team atmosphere that we so enjoyed last week.

"It is very tempting but it wouldn't be right for the team and that in the end is the most important thing."

The announcement came just a day after Nick Faldo said he was withdrawing from consideration to concentrate on trying to make the team and that he would vote for Torrance again. "It does not change things for me," Faldo said last night. "I just want to commit myself to trying to make the team again. It's as simple as that. It's a good goal and gives my brain a free run at something."

Padraig Harrington revealed that Torrance informed the players of his intentions on Sunday. "That's what he told us at the end of last week," Harrington said. "Sam has given so much over the last three years. He put a lot into it and it took a huge amount away from his own personal golf. He couldn't give that much again.

"The players would love to have him as captain again but it's a friendly match so why not give someone else a chance," Harrington added with a laugh.

If Faldo is serious about trying to make the next team, then Bernhard Langer, who also muttered about wanting another crack at playing at the age of 47, would be the most obvious candidate.

Harrington swapped places with Eduardo Romero at the top of the leaderboard at the Dunhill Links Championship yesterday. After a 66 at Carnoustie on Thursday, the Irishman added another at Kingsbarns to lead by one at 12 under par.

Harrington needs to win the first prize of £514,000 to catch up with the runaway South African duo at the top of the Order of Merit, but having not won since the Volvo Masters last year, a victory itself is all he is concerned about.

It was also at Kingsbarns that Colin Montgomerie, who is five under, had the second albatross of his career. It came at the third hole, his 12th, and was achieved with a four-iron from 209 yards.

It did not take long for the Scot to find a television camera and an interviewer. Due to the relaxed nature of this pro-am tournament this is deemed acceptable and, anyway, there are many natural pauses during rounds that take six hours.

"I got very lucky," Monty beamed. "I eagled the hole last year and an albatross this year. I'm going to struggle to beat that next year. I will have to find a long driver."

One of the rounds of the day was a 68 at Carnoustie by Simon Dyson, who was using a spare set of clubs. Dyson's clubs had been stolen overnight from his new car, which had also been damaged. "I half didn't feel like playing," he said, "but it is not so much the clubs. I've got another set and everything is insured but I was gutted about the car. You save up to buy it and then this happens."

Miles Tunnicliff, the Great North Open winner, was disqualified for taking an incorrect drop when he took an unplayable in a bunker and then dropped outside the bunker. Tunnicliff still has to play today in the team competition with his amateur partner, even though his individual score will not count, which really is a punishment.

DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP (St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns) Leading second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 132 P Harrington 66 66; 133 E Romero (Arg) 65 68; 134 M Lundberg (Swe) 67 67; 135 J Randhawa (Ind) 66 69, T Bjorn (Den) 67 68; 136 I Garrido (Sp) 70 66, N Lawrence (SA) 66 70, S Luña (Sp) 67 69, S Lyle 69 67; 137 V Singh (Fij) 70 67, R Goosen (SA) 70 67, Phillip Price 69 68; 138 G Brand Jnr 71 67, A Scott (Aus) 68 70. Selected: 139 C Montgomerie 70 69; E Els (SA) 72 67. 141 J Rose 70 71.