Torrance predicts close Ryder Cup clash

But Torrance has other ideas.

He said: "There's been an awful lot of hype about Europe being strong favourites, but I would be very wary of that. I wouldn't underestimate the Americans at all, they've got a very strong team.

"But we've got a very strong team. We've had to leave out two world class players, Casey and Rose, which is testament to how strong the European team is. In the end home advantage and the crowd will turn it for us just in our favour. It will be very close, but I think Europe will win."

Torrance, 57, captained Europe to victory in 2002. He has passed on a few tips to this year's captain, Colin Montgomerie.

He said: "I played with him a week ago and he's in good shape. There are no negative thoughts. Losing's not even in his vocabulary, as it shouldn't be, so everything's fine.

"He asked me about a few little things. He has his own view. He's played in enough Ryder Cups, so he knows exactly what's going on, what he wants and what's required of his team, but there's little things like course set-up.

"Like me, the Ryder Cup is in his blood. He's meticulous, he won't leave a stone unturned, and he'll prepare the European team as well as is humanly possible."

USA captain Corey Pavin has included troubled superstar Tiger Woods in his team, announced yesterday afternoon. Torrance said Woods will still be a player to fear.

He said: "Absolutely. His swing looks better over the last month or so than it's been for a year, and even for people as great as him it takes time for that to sink in and come into effect.

"It's not easy to block out personal problems. The hardest aspect of that is, it's subconcious. It's affecting you when you don't know it's affecting you. It is a tough one for him to contend with, but as we all know it was self-inflicted, so get on with it."

Torrance became inextricably linked to the Ryder Cup after he sank the putt that brought the trophy back to Europe in 1985, but captaining the team that regained the Cup at The Belfy in 2002 remains his career pinnacle.

He has recounted his experiences in a new book, An Enduring Passion, which he was promoting in Canary Wharf yesterday. He enjoyed recalling all his memories.

He said: "Thoroughy. It was good fun. I wanted to get across the incredible atmosphere of the Ryder Cup. It really was a wonderful romance for me over 20 years.

"It's much easier being captain because you don't have to play. There's no pressure, to be honest. There's the pressure of talking to the media and getting your team right, but to me that was nothing. It was all enjoyable."

Enjoy the occasion is his advice to every player this year.

He said: "When I was captain I walked every player from the putting green to the first tee on singles day, and what I said to them was 'this will be the greatest day of your life, you will remember this until the day you die. Enjoy it.' So I hope they will."

An Enduring Passion: My Ryder Cup Years, by Sam Torrance is published by Mainstream, priced £16.99.