Jose Maria Olazabal - Captain of European Ryder Cup Team
I was really proud to accept the invitation from the Tournament Committee to be Captain because it was decided unanimously, by the players themselves, and that meant a lot to me. I have been on Tour for some 26 years now and I have known a lot of players – some who are not with us any more to some who are just starting out in their professional careers – so to have their unanimous vote meant so much. Everyone who knows me, knows The Ryder Cup is welded to my heart. We want to keep the Cup – of course we do – but I know that Davis and the American team share with us the desire for the match to continue the tradition of fair play and good sportsmanship which has developed since it all began in 1927.
I have wonderful memories of The Ryder Cup, especially with my great friend Seve, but this is something totally different. There is a huge responsibility being the Captain and it is one of the biggest challenges of my career. But I am relishing it.
