José María Olazabal did not pass the cut in the recent Masters of Augusta, the large number 96 that played at the end of a majestic race, but the champion of two green jackets (1994 and 1999) left with the smile painted on the face. First to return one more year to the field where he played the sports sky, where he says he feels “at peace” with himself and where he participates in the famous Champions dinner; Also for clinging with all his honor to a journey that at 59 makes herself very long and physically hard; And surely because he already knew that the European Captain of the Ryder Cup, the Englishman Luke Donald, again named him as one of his trusted men for the next edition of the Great Tournament against the United States, from September 26 to 28 in Bethpage (New York).
This was announced on Wednesday by the Ryder’s continental team, and Luke Donald has welcomed him, who already had him by his side in the European victory of 2023 in Rome: “Olazabal is part of the history of the Ryder Cup. As a player, he added 20 points and a half in seven participations and formed one of the most emblematic couples in history with severe ballesteros. His legacy was consolidated as he consolidated Captain in 2012, leading Europe to the unforgettable miracle in Medinah, a comeback inspired by the memory of Seve.
“It’s wonderful news. when Luke got in touch with me to propose to be Vicecapitán again, I must recognize that I thought about it a little, because playing in New York will not be easy. But the Ryder Cup means a lot for me. I have wonderful memories of this competition, so I said that yes. Winning away from home in the United States is really complicated. In New York, we know that the public will be very noisy To the local team. We will have to manage all that, ”said Olazabal.
The Basque, who now disputes the Champions Tour, the American senior circuit, not only went down in the history of the Ryder to form with Seve Magic triumph of Medinah in 2012. He was also Vicecapitán in 2008, 2010 and 2014.
Olazabal was recently appointed sports advisor of the Spanish Federation for national teams and the Pro Spain program, which accompanies young people in the jump to the professional world. “I like to teach,” explained the Basque in an interview in the country last February. “The golf has given me everything in life. I come from a generation in which we had to help each other. And that culture prevails. At that time we had no technology or videos. I trained with José María Cañizares, Pepín Rivero, Manolo Piñero…, we shared a room and resorted to them when I was lost. Now I try learned to these generations, which will be difficult because the level is very high. Living with that, talking to that devil and saying: “We are going to make this trip together.”
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