Legendary golf coach Bob Torrance passes away

Bob Torrance, one of the game's most revered coaches, has died at the age of 82

Bob Torrance, one of the game's most revered coaches, has died at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

His son Sam - who captained the European Ryder Cup team in 2003 - tweeted: "Sad day - my dad just passed away peacefully in his sleep."

Torrance - who had coached the game for more than 60 years - had taught some of the world's best players, including Padraig Harrington, who he helped claim back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.

Another former pupil, 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, said:

"This is an incredibly sad day as we have lost one of life’s, as well as one of golf’s, really true characters and my thoughts are obviously with June and Sam at this difficult time.

“I feel blessed to have known Bob for many years and to have had him as my coach since 1992. Not only was he a world class golf coach, a fact recognised right across the game, but he was also one of my very favourite people in life. I will dearly miss his teaching and his wit.

“I feel very fortunate that I got the chance to say goodbye to him in person last week when I drove down to his home at Largs during the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen. Despite his obvious ill health, he still retained his fantastic sense of humour and love of golf and the memory of that afternoon will stay with me."

Marc Warren, who is currently playing well in the Open Championship, added: "He gave you absolutely everything he had to make you the best player you could possibly be. I will be forever in his debt for that."