Renowned golf coach Bob Torrance, the father of Ryder Cup-winning captain Sam, has died aged 82.

Torrance coached many of the game’s greats and at the age of 27 he was appointed as professional and head greenkeeper at Rossendale Golf Club.

He was there for four years until 1963 before returning to his home town of Largs in Scotland.

His son Sam picked up golf clubs for the first time seriously when his dad was at Rossendale.

Torrance senior helped Irishman Padraig Harrington win back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.

Torrance senior, called ‘the greatest golf coach in the world’ by Harrington, had been battling cancer.

“My majors would never have happened without Bob,” said Harrington. “Not a chance.

“He was a father figure to me after my own dad passed away.”

Tiger Woods paid his respects to Torrance by wearing a black ribbon during his final two rounds of The Open at Royal Liverpool.