Sam Torrance admitted it was only his love of the Scottish Senior Open that kept him battling through the pain barrier at Fairmont St Andrews.

The 55-year old closed with a two-under round of 70 to finish tied 39th on seven-over par – 15 shots behind Surrey’s Glenn Ralph who won for the first time on the senior tour.

However the former Ryder Cup Captain’s achievements were made all the more remarkable after he endured three days of agony on the east coast as he fought against debilitating back spasms.

He said: “I was screaming every time I hit a drive. It's as sore as I've ever been on a golf course.

"I was close to pulling out and had a hard think about but in the end I decided not to – if it had been any other event I would have but because it's the Scottish Open I played on.”

Meanwhile, Gordon Brand Jr was the highest placed Scot finishing in seventh place with a score of one-over.

Bill Longmuir shot a superb final round 69 to finish tied eighth and Ross Drummond finish tied 14th after a disappointing final round 78.