October 10, 2001	Wednesday	Rajab 22, 1422

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LONDON, Oct 9: European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance will replace Canadian Mike Weir in the World Match Play Championship starting at Wentworth on Thursday, organisers said Tuesday,

Weir, joint 12th in the U.S. PGA Tour’s Michelob Championship on Sunday, was due to fly to Britain on Monday night but decided to remain with his family because of the air strikes in Afghanistan.

Scotland’s Torrance, 48, made the last of his three appearances in the event six years ago when he was a first round loser.

He is drawn to play Seve Ballesteros in the first round on Thursday. The former Ryder Cup captain and five times major winner was himself a late replacement for American John Daly who also did not want to fly to Britain for the event.

“I think it has worked out well for the event that Seve and I are playing each other,” Torrance told Sky TV News.

“I think Seve will be happy as well. However he has been doing you are still playing Seve Ballesteros. He still has that name and intimidation.

“He is still the best putter on the tour and a tough man to beat.”

Ballesteros has missed 15 cuts from the 17 European Tour events he has played this year.

The event has been badly hit by American withdrawals with Tiger Woods, David Duval, Phil Mickelson and Daly declining to fly. As a result twice winners Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam have also been included in the field.