The triumphant European Ryder Cup team were inspired by the wise words of Largs’ legendary golfing coach Bob Torrance.

Headlines in the national newspapers even include “The Hand of Bob” as being a telling factor in swinging the motivational mood towards the home team as they produced a marvellous triumph at Glenagles at the weekend.

Having coached captain Paul McGinley, Stephen Gallacher, Padraig Harrington, and of course, our very own Sam Torrance, the players were using a famous mantra from the world famous golfing guru as motivation for this weekend.

Son Sam, who was vice captain, and a veteran of many Ryder Cups as a winning skipper and player, was cheered loudly as the Ryder Cup got underway on Friday morning at 7.30am. The electric feeling at Gleneagles was something to behold, as fans could be heard singing loudly: “There’s only one Sam Torrance” as the atmosphere reached fever pitch.

Sam’s father’s quote that was pinned up on the locker room front door reads: “The happiest days of your lives”.

Captain Paul McGinley said: “It’s just a simple message. It’s the last message they see before they leave the locker room, and it’s a quote from Bob Torrance, who unfortunately passed away in July.

“He used to say to everyone player on the range as we walked to the first tee - he would shake your hand and say ‘Happiest days of your lives’.

“Of course, Bob Torrance was there, he’s been with me all week I didn’t want to say it to Sam on the first tee, but I thought a number of times, should I say to Sam: ‘Bob would be proud’.

“I could just see him standing behind me there drinking all this in, being Scottish. I didn’t want to do it because I knew Sam would have cried, and I probably would have cried myself too.” And Sam was full of praise for the European Captain during an interview on Sky Sports immediately after clinching the Ryder Up with a stunning 16½-11½ win over the United States of America.

He said: “It was incredible - Paul McGinley did an exceptional job - he left no stone unturned. It has been an absolutely amazing weekend. I am just away off now for a few coca-colas!”