Golf: Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal has replaced compatriot Seve Ballesteros, who recently underwent brain surgery, as captain of the European Royal Trophy team.
The two-times major winner stepped in after Ballesteros decided he had insufficient time to recover for the team contest against Asia in January (9th-11th).
The Spaniard, who notched 11 wins and two halves from 15 Ryder Cup matches playing alongside Ballesteros, was his compatriot's immediate choice to replace him.
Olazabal was Nick Faldo's vice-captain in this year's Ryder Cup and is touted to lead Europe in the biennial competition in the future.
Ballesteros, who was instrumental in the inception of the Royal Trophy two years ago and whose team has won the first two editions of the contest, is making a good recovery after a series of brain operations.
With Joe Ozaki's eight-man Asian team already finalised, 42-year-old Olazabal has started the process of selecting his team for the matchplay event in Chonburi, Thailand.
"I am truly honoured to have been appointed by Seve to take such an important responsibility and I will do my best to deliver a win for my great friend and for Europe," said Olazabal, winner of over 30 titles worldwide including the 1994 and 1999 US Masters.
"I plan to stay in contact with Seve throughout the process and to work with him as a partner, just like we did in the golf course for so many years in the Ryder Cup."
The Asian team consists of Thais Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee, Charlie Wi and S.K. Ho of South Korea, China's Liang Wenchong and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, Hideto Tanihara and Toru Taniguchi.
Both sides have non-playing captains and will compete in fourballs, foursomes and singles over the three days at the Amata Springs Country Club.
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