Olazabal wants Ryder Cup captaincy
Jose Maria Olazabal wants European captaincy
Also In The News
|
Tottenham Hotspur have qualified for the Carling Cup final despite losing to Burnley 3-2 after extra-time in the second leg of their semi-final at Turf Moor. |  |
Thursday, 22, Jan 2009 09:58
Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal has confirmed he is interested in captaining the European Team in next year's Ryder Cup tournament.
The 42-year-old has insisted in the past that he wanted to qualify for the tournament as a player, but he is suffering from rheumatism which has given him pain in his wrists and forearms and has seen him play in only two events since last May.
Olazabal would be a popular choice amongst fans and players if he were to be named captain, but he faces stiff competition from Colin Montgomerie. The Scot is the current favourite with the final decision set to be made at Europe's tournament committee meeting next Wednesday in Dubai.
"He is available. If he is offered the job he will say 'Yes'," said the Olazabal's manager Sergio Gomez. "We know it is a matter of two and there are factors favouring Jose Maria and factors favouring Monty."
When it came to Olazabal's injuries, Gomez said: "He had a small problem with his wrists and forearms and it was painful when gripping the club, but not too severe and he told me yesterday to confirm the flights.
"But the chances of him making the team are not what he wanted or expected, so he made up his mind that he would accept the captaincy if it was offered."
Both Olazabal and Montgomerie have fantastic Ryder Cup records. The Spanish two-time Masters winner has played in the Ryder Cup seven times and been on the winning side three occasions.
Montgomerie is recognised as being one of the greatest Ryder Cup players of all time. He has won 23.5 points for Europe and has remarkably never lost a singles match.