Torrance praises award for Ryder Cup heroes

The European Ryder Cup team have won the Golf Writers' Trophy for 2002 after collecting more than 50 per cent of the votes.

The European Ryder Cup team have won the Golf Writers' Trophy for 2002 after collecting more than 50 per cent of the votes.

Sam Torrance's team started the match as underdogs but eventually triumphed 15 1/2-12 1/2 against America at The Belfry in September.

Ireland's Paul McGinley holed the winning putt on the 18th green but Torrance was quick to pay tribute to the performances of all his players.

"I am very honoured for the team," Torrance said. "They are the ones who deserve it."

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For the second year in succession Sweden's Annika Sorenstam finished second in the voting, with Open champion Ernie Els in third place. Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Colin Montgomerie and Torrance himself also featured in the poll.

"It is incredible, really," Torrance said. "To captain a winning Ryder Cup team is something you can only dream about but it became reality at The Belfry.

"It was a wonderful performance from our team. We were the underdogs but we completely outplayed them. I was never surprised by anything our players did.

"I was full of expectations for every single member of the team. Some of them lived up to those expectations and the others exceeded them."

PA