Jose Maria Olazabal gets honest over Ryder Cup vice captaincy as Spaniard joins team seeking US away day glory

Daily Record

23-04-2025

Jose-Maria Olazabal admits he had New York trepidation before agreeing to extend his incredible run at The Ryder Cup. The 59-year-old has accepted European skipper Luke Donald 's invitation to join the fight for away glory over the United States at Bethpage. Olazabal was the last Euro winning captain in America at Medinah 13 years ago and links up with the squad having also played in seven from 1987 to 2006 and also been vice leader four times, the last of which came in Rome as Donald's side won in 2023. The Spaniard went with his heart, but confessed taking his time before saying yes to join Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari in the valued backroom team. Olazabal said: 'It is wonderful news. When Luke approached me and asked me about the possibility of being a Vice Captain again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because being in New York, it's not going to be easy. 'But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I have wonderful memories about this event so I said yes. 'I think Luke did a wonderful job in Rome and I believe he will do a very good job this time round too. 'He took care of absolutely all the details: players, caddies, families. It was wonderful to see some of the lines he came up with and the images from past champions. 'It was great also to see him working the way he did during the week, being so close to the players. It was fantastic to be part of that Ryder Cup team. 'It's really hard to win away from home in the United States. In New York, we know the crowds are going to be very loud and the golf course will be set up in favour of the US team, we'll have to handle that, too. 'I think there is not any bigger challenge for a golfer than facing a Ryder Cup away from home and we have to be mentally prepared for that.' Donald, who will be bolstered by having the likes of career Grand Slam-winning star Rory McIlroy in his side, said: 'I am delighted to welcome Jose María back to the vice captain role. He is synonymous with European golf and the Ryder Cup and everything it represents. So to have him back as part of my backroom team is incredibly positive for us. 'He bleeds blue and gold like nobody else. His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none. He is just an inspiration to so many players, which made such a difference in Rome. 'It's also extremely important for us to know we have the last Captain to have won on foreign soil on our side. 'I was part of that team as a player and got to witness his never-give-up attitude and the inspiration he drew from Seve that week. 'There might be some tough times in New York when we all need that experience, that passion and that mentality.'