Europe
Profile: Jose Maria Olazabal
| Born | Fuenterrabia, Spain |
|---|---|
| age | 40 |
| height | 5ft 10in |
| Turned Pro | 1985 |
| World ranking | 19 |
| Appearances | (6) 1987-89-91-93-97-99 |
| Won | Lost | Halved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Foursomes | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Fourball | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 8 | 5 |
| Win Rate | 61% |
In Ryder Cup terms Jose Maria Olazabal could be likened to the Renaissance Man as he makes his return to the European side after missing the last two encounters. Before that he made his debut as a 21-year-old in 1987 and combined with fellow Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros to form the most successful partnership in the history of the Matches, winning 11, halving two and losing only two of their matches together.
In 1995 Olazabal was forced to withdraw from the Ryder Cup with a foot problem, eventually diagnosed as rheumatoid polyarthritis in three joints of the right foot and two in the left. The situation was so serious he couldn't get out of bed and the threat not playing golf again paled into insignificance when it was feared he might even walk again. After 18 months of rehabilitation the son of a San Sebastian greenkeeper returned to competition.
'Ollie' finished runner up to Tiger Woods in the Buick Invitational – a tournament he really should have won – and the BellSouth Classic but his best performance was surely at his favourite hunting ground of Augusta.
Winner of two green jackets in 1994 and 1999 the US Masters holds a special place in Olazabal's heart, particularly the latter win as he showed no form whatsoever in the run up to the event. This year he was once again inspired by the manicured surroundings down Magnolia Lane to eventually tied third behind Phil Mickelson.
This will be Olazabal's seventh Ryder Cup appearance and will be hoping to be on the winning side for the third time having been part of the 1987 and 1997 winning sides.
Last year he also captained Continental Europe for the first time in the 2005 Seve Trophy team event. That combined with his wealth of experience will count for much at the K-Club.
- Paul Gallagher