Tributes flood in for Bob Torrance

Sandy Jones was just one of many to pay tribute to legendary golf coach Bob Torrance who has died at the age of 82.

The PGA’s chief executive described the Scot as a legend and one of the world’s greatest ever coaches.

"Bob was an iconic coach, in today's world where there is so much technology there was none for Bob who had to trust his eye, his instinct and his knowledge of the swing and what it should look like and worked with the player to make this happen," said Jones.

"I don't know if it was a Scottish work ethic but he also believed that through sheer hard work that the golfer, allied with technique, could make it happen

"Bob was one of the best of his kind, worked from dawn till dusk and drove himself to work as hard as he expected his players to.

"I've also had many a quiet chuckle with Bob because he had a great sense of humour.

"It's really sad news, and he's already being missed now judging by the reaction since the news of his death, and he will be talked about for generations to come.

"I think the fact that he used to sit down and talk golf with Ben Hogan reflects his standing in the game."

His son, Sam, Europe’s 2002 victorious Ryder Cup captain, revealed the news on Twitter on Friday. "Sad day - my dad just passed away peacefully in his sleep."

Renowned and respected for his insight into the golf swing, Torrance earned PGA Master Professional status in recognition of his knowledge and skills.

He guided the careers of scores of players including Padraig Harrington with the pair famously often spending all day on the range in the pursuit of perfection.

That paid off in 2007 and the following year when the Dubliner won the open twice and the USPGA in the space of 18 months.

Harrington described the Largs-based coach as the ‘best swing coach in the world’ while another former charge, Marc Warren, credited Torrance as having a huge impact on his career.

“He changed my career massively. Still to this day, and for the rest of my career, his words of wisdom will stay with me,” Warren told The Scotsman.

“When I first started seeing Bob it was 2002 and three months later I’d won twice on the Challenge Tour.

“I was rookie of the year and I won the World Cup. I might not be playing at this level if it wasn’t for him.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him and his knowledge of the golf swing. He would give everything he had to make you the best player you could be. I’ll be forever in his debt for that.”

European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who was coached by Torrance for more than two decades, said: "I feel blessed to have known Bob for many years and to have had him as my coach since 1992.

“Not only was he a world class golf coach, a fact recognised right across the game, but he was also one of my very favourite people in life. I will dearly miss his teaching and his wit."