Jose Maria Olazabal has been appointed as Luke Donald’s third vice president for the European team’s offer to hold the Ryder Cup in New York in September, Live on Heavenly.
The winner of the 2012 title and the double master champion will return to the back room of Donald along with Edoardo Molinari and Thomas Bjorn already confirmed for the September 26-28 competition in Bethpage Black.
Olazabal, 59, is one of the most famous and decorated figures of Ryder Cup.
The Spaniard played seven times between 1987 and 2006, winning the tour three times completely and also on the European side that held the trophy through a tie in 1989.
He formed a frightening partnership with Countryman and friend Seve Ballesteros, paired a record 15 times and claiming 11 wins of matches and two links.
The nine victories of Olazabal Fourball Match are second in the history of the competition.
As a captain, he then supervised the stunning victory of European return to ‘Miracle in Medinah’ in 2012 – the last time both sides won away from home.
The Olazabal team came from 10-4 down by the end of the second day to win 14.5-13.5 points.
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Justin Rose’s point in the 17th Green in his single match against Phil Mickelson in ‘Miracle in Medinah’ is an iconic moment Ryder Cup
Donald: Olazabal stems blue blood and gold like no other
“It’s a wonderful news,” said Olazabal, who is a fifth vice president.
“When Luke approached me and asked me about the opportunity to be the vice president again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because, you know, being in New York, it will not be easy.
“But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I have wonderful memories of this event, so I said yes.
“I think Luke did a wonderful job in Rome and I believe he will do a very good job this time too.
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The best of the action after Europe won the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy
“It was also great to see him working as he did during the week, being so close to players. It was fantastic to be part of this team Ryder Cup.”
Donald said Olazabal’s decision to continue in the role he held in Rome was “too positive for us” after “he flows blue and gold like no other.”
“His passion for the Ryder Cup is not the second,” Donald added.
“He is just an inspiration to so many players, which made such a change in Rome.
“Also extremely important for us to know that we have the last captain we have won on foreign land on our part. I was part of this team as a player and I was witnessed by his endless attitude and inspiration he withdrew from Seve that week.
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Team Europe got their celebrations on the team bus following their exciting Ryder Cup victory over the US in Rome
“There may be some difficult periods in New York when we all need that experience, that passion and that mentality.”
Indeed, with the crowds of living and partisan homes expected to be a feature of the New York Week, Olazabal added: “Really hard to win away from home in the United States.
“In New York, we know that the crowds will be very vocal and the golf course will be set in favor of the US team – we will have to handle it, too. I think there is no greater challenge for a golf player than to face a ryder cup away from home and we have to be mentally prepared for it.”
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