Golf: Sam Torrance in pursuit of on-form Ruangkit

SAM Torrance is three shots behind new European Senior Tour sensation Boonchu Ruangkit after the first round of the inaugural Berenberg Bank Masters in South Africa.

Former Ryder Cup captain Torrance and fellow Scot Bill Longmuir both opened with one-under-par rounds of 72 at The Links at Fancourt to lie amongst ten players in a share of sixth place.

Torrance was two over par after four holes but hit back with five birdies. However, bogeys on two of the three par-5s on the way in, including Fancourt's closing hole, cost him two shots.

Fellow Scots Ross Drummond and Martin Gray are a further shot back on level par but Ruangkit, chasing a third consecutive success, tops the leaderboard following a flawless 69.