“It’s a bit like getting an honour from the Queen” quipped Largs’ most famous sportsman.

After hitting the victorious winning putt to clinch victory for Europe in 1985, and captaining the team to success in 2002, Largs man Sam Torrance is back in the Ryder Cup preparations to lend his outstanding experience to the latest charges.

In a sense, golf is coming home as the Ryder Cup is to be staged this year at the spectacular Gleneagles, and it is only appropriate that one of golf’s famous local sons is back in the mix.

Termed in the national press as one of the worst kept secrets in golf, Sam has renewed acquaintances with the international competition after being selected as vice captain in this year’s team.

Paul McGinley named Sam already as skipper of the Great Britain and Ireland team for the Seve trophy in August, and many thought the writing was on the wall for one of the big sporting comebacks.

“I’ve known for bloody months,” he said with an air of relief coupled with enormous delight. “It’s like getting an honour from The Queen; you can’t tell anyone. I’ve probably known for a year. It’s been a bloody nightmare. My wife knew, as did my mum and dad ... and about four bookies that would take my bet.” McGinley’s respect for Torrance stems back to the 2002 contest at The Belfry when the Irishman, encouraged by Torrance’s leadership as a captain, holed the winning putt for Europe.

“If I can do a tenth for Paul’s team what he did for my team, then we’ll both be very happy men,” added Torrance, who recorded three victories as a player over the course of eight Ryder Cups. “I was never more proud in my career than when I put on this European sweater and it’s no different this time.” This is very much an old pals’ act with a purpose.

“We are more than mates, to be honest,” said McGinley, who played on three Ryder Cups and has been a vice-captain twice. “It’s not that I speak to him every day but Sam is a guy I have had a very close bonding with since 2002. He was my first captain, and I’m not saying other captains weren’t as good. That would be unfair. But Sam was my first captain. It was the first time I was exposed to the Ryder Cup.” The Ryder Cup has defined Sam’s career from arriving on scene in 1981 to a triumphant stint as skipper in 2002.

“I’ve had my time, as a player and a captain, and I’ll never forget it,” he reflected. “It’s been an amazing experience. This is different as I’ve been brought in for a reason - my knowledge - and it is a great honour. There’s nothing like being told you are captain. It was the highlight of my career, by a billion miles. This is a great honour, too, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t get better than the captaincy in a Ryder Cup.”