European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance saw his hopes of victory in the Benson and Hedges International Open dashed at The De Vere Belfry today before he even hit a shot, withdrawing from the tournament minutes before he was due to tee off in the third round.
The 47 year old, who was at six under par after two rounds and only four shots behind the leader Henrik Stenson, damaged the intercostal muscle behind his ribcage practicing on the range after his second round and indicated to tournament officials he was not fit to continue.
Torrance had physiotherapy last night and again this morning in an attempt to take his alloted 1.41pm tee-time alongside South African Desvonde Botes. But a couple of sessions on the practice range confirmed to the Scot he would be unable to play.
