Editor’s Letter: The Jose Maria Olazabal Factor
Luke Donald of Europe and Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal celebrate after Europe defeats the United States at The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
It was a cunning move by Luke Donald naming former skipper Jose Maria Olazabal as his fourth vice-captain for this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome. To have Ollie in the camp could be a marginal gain that tips the balance. The man is made for the Ryder Cup. He and the competition are spiritually intertwined. It’s a love affair. Special things happen when you put them together.
More than simply bringing unrivalled experience and a superior golfing brain, he brings something a little extra, something that lifts a room when he walks into it. The type of magic people speak of when they reference Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, or Lionel Messi. Or I should say Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo or Jack Nicklaus. When you stand shoulder to shoulder with him, you are not his equal. There is a distinguishable aura around the man. Couple that with his connection and deep friendship with Seve Ballesteros, and it feels like you're in the presence of a golfing deity.
Jose Maria Olazabal, the winning captain, poses for a photograph as reads the newspapers and has a cup of coffee prior to The European Ryder Cup Press Conference at Heathrow Airport on October 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Those first impressions with Ollie stay with you, and I’ve always thought that was the mark of a special person. I met him at a PR event as a very green journalist many years ago. He was an absolute gent, granted me all the time I needed for an interview, and even coached me through a chipping contest. All that despite the fact I was probably the 20th journalist in the queue that day. Honestly, he made me feel like the only person in the room, he's that welcoming.. He is personable, kind and has a passion for golf that runs to a fiery deep within him. He loves winning. He loves winning at the Ryder Cup the most.
“He was an absolute gent, granted me all the time I needed for an interview, and even coached me through a chipping contest. All that despite the fact I was probably the 20th journalist in the queue that day.”
Olazabal enjoyed a stellar playing career in the biennial contest against the United States before leading his side to victory in the famous ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012.
The 57-year-old won a total of 20.5 points in his seven appearances, with 12 of those coming from 15 matches in partnership with fellow Spaniard Ballesteros.
Olazabal, who was also vice-captain in 2008, 2010 and 2014, joins Thomas Bjorn, Edoardo Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts in Donald’s backroom team.
Jose-Maria Olazabal of Spain uses the shoulders of Seve Ballesteros also of Spain to get a better view of the hole during the 29th Ryder Cup Matches on 28th September 1991 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina, United States. (Photo by Stephen Munday/Getty Images)
The two-time Masters champion said: “With my previous experiences in the Ryder Cup I am obviously thrilled to be back involved once again.
“I am really looking forward to feeling that special adrenaline flow, the intensity and the electricity that only the Ryder Cup can bring.
“It was a very nice surprise to be asked by Luke. I didn’t expect it, but I was delighted when the call came.
“I have no doubts that Luke will be a great captain. He has played in the Ryder Cup four times and won four times and he therefore knows what is required to perform well in the match.”
Donald, who was sent out first by Olazabal in the Sunday singles at Medinah, said: “To know he had that respect and confidence in me to go out and lead Europe in such a pressurised last-day environment meant a lot and this feels, perhaps, that I am returning that favour a little bit, as I have a huge amount of confidence in him.
“Just his mere presence brings energy to any Ryder Cup environment and I saw that first hand when I asked him to be involved in the Hero Cup we staged in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of this year.
“To know he had that respect and confidence in me to go out and lead Europe in such a pressurised last-day environment meant a lot and this feels, perhaps, that I am returning that favour a little bit, as I have a huge amount of confidence in him”
“He was such a big part of that week, being with the players and sharing stories with them of just what the Ryder Cup is all about.
“People notice when Jose Maria walks into a room and you could see at the Hero Cup how much everyone respected him and admired him for all he’s done in the game. I could not be more excited to have him on my team.”
He may not be playing, but the Ollie factor could be the difference.
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