Jose Maria Olazabal was named Luke Donald’s third vice captain in a Team Europe bid to maintain the Ryder Cup in New York in September.
The 2012 title-winning captain and two-time Masters champion will return to Donald’s backroom team along with already satisfied Edouard Molinari and Thomas Bjorn for the September 26-28 contest at Beth Page Black.
Olazabal, 59, is one of the most famous and decorated figures of the Ryder Cup.
The Spaniard played seven times between 1987 and 2006, tripled a full victory in the tournament, and was on the European side, holding the trophy via tie in 1989.
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He formed a horrifying partnership with countryman and friend Cebu Ballesteros, with the duo combining records 15 times, claiming 11 matches and two bonds.
Olazabal’s nine four-ball matches victory is second in the history of the sport.
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Luke Donald looks back at how he led his team’s Europe to a successful Ryder Cup in Rome.
As captain, he oversaw a surprising comeback victory in Europe in 2012 with “The Miracle of Medina.”
The Olazabal team scored 14.5-13.5 points from 10-4 towards the end of the second day.
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Justin Rose’s 17th green putt is an iconic Ryder Cup moment in a singles match against Phil Mickelson in “The Miracle of Medina.”
Donald: Olazabal bleeds blue and gold like anyone else
“That’s great news,” said Olazabal, the fifth vice captain.
“When Luke approaches me and asks me again about the possibility of becoming a vice captain, I have to be honest and think about it for a while.
“But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I said yes because I have great memories of the event.
“I think Luke did a great job in Rome and I think he’ll do a very good job this time too. He took totally all the details: players, caddies, family.
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The best action Europe has when it won the Ryder Cup at Italian Marco Simone Golf & Country Club
“It was great to see him working like a weekday and being so close to his players. It was great to be part of that Ryder Cup team.”
Donald said Olazabal’s decision to continue the role he supported in Rome was “incredibly positive for us.”
“His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none,” Donald added.
“He was an inspiration for so many players and made that difference to Rome.
“It’s also very important to know that we have the last captain on our side to win over foreign soil. I’m part of that team as a player and I’ve seen his never-give-giving attitude and the inspiration he portrayed from that week.
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Team Europe took their celebration to Team Bus after a thrilling Ryder Cup victory in Rome’s America
“In New York, there may be some tough times when we all need that experience, that passion, that mentality.”
Certainly, the lively, partisan home crowd is expected to be a feature of New York’s week, so Olazabal added:
“In New York, the crowds are getting really loud and we know that the golf course will be in the advantage of the US team. We need to handle that. I don’t think there’s a bigger challenge for golfers than facing the rider cup away from home.
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