Jose Maria Olazabal has more important things on his mind right now but we can only hope that, one way or another, there is a place for him in the European Team room at the Ryder Cup in October.
Olazabal’s struggle with a debilitating condition which is threatening his ability to play any golf at all and his concern about the health of his great friend Seve Ballesteros are, of course, uppermost in his thoughts at present. The Ryder Cup is probably the last thing on his mind. But in his absence from the Tour it’s been suggested that European captain Colin Montgomerie might not ask Jose Maria to be an assistant captain because he’s lost touch with the players.
I find it hard to believe Monty would let that stand in the way of Olazabal being at Celtic Manor.
Colin knows better than anyone how much of a role emotion and inspiration play at the Ryder Cup and Jose Maria Olazabal has a special talent for saying and doing the right things at the right time, especially in high-pressure situations. I don’t know a single European player who isn’t inspired by Olazabal’s achievements in individual tournament play and in the Ryder Cup. Even now, many of them are saying Jose Maria should definitely be involved at Celtic Manor whatever happens, and I think there’s every chance they’ll get their wish. If Jose Maria is able to bring along his old
pal Seve, so much the better.