EUROPEAN TOUR ANDALUCIAN OPEN:JOSE MARIA Olazabal insisted yesterday he is not yet certain to work as Colin Montgomerie's vice-captain if he does not qualify for next year's team.
Montgomerie announced on television less than two weeks ago that Olazabal had accepted an assistant role should he fail to win back his place at Celtic Manor.
But after standing shoulder-to-shoulder in Seville yesterday as Montgomerie was presented with a cake to mark his 500th European Tour event as a professional – the Andalucian Open starting today – the 43-year-old Spaniard stated: “I’ve not said that. It was news to me. I’m not sure. I’ve done it before and there are not many decisions to make. There’s not much to do.”
Asked how the confusion has arisen, Olazabal – who worked alongside Nick Faldo in Louisville last September and is expected to be the man in charge in Chicago in 2012 – added: “Maybe my English is not good.
“I made it clear to Monty in Dubai (in January) that I’m going to try to get as healthy as possible and make every effort to make the team.
“If that’s not the case we will have to have a chat.”
Montgomerie, however, remains under the impression that the agreement is in place.
“We’ve had a conversation that he will be involved in the Ryder Cup one way or another,” he said.
“I would love him to be playing on the team because the passion he brings is second to none, but if not he will be there in an administrative role, which will be vice-captain.
“I have had that conversation.”
After battling rheumatism and then the fatigue which his medication caused, Olazabal plays only his fifth event since last May this week on the Real Club course he designed himself.
“I’m not going to say I’m 100 per cent, but I’m here to see if the body holds on,” he said. “If there are no drastic changes I feel I might be able to go to The Masters.
“The different medicine I’m on seems to be doing the job, but that is temporary. I’m taking anti-inflammatories for both my shoulders, but I don’t feel as tired as I used to.”
Sad though it is that he has been able to play as little as he has in recent years, the double Masters champion can easily put his own situation into perspective.
His former Ryder Cup partner Seve Ballesteros, of course, underwent four brain operations late last year after the discovery of a tumour and since then has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“I don’t think I compare to him,” said Olazabal. “I’ve seen him once and talk to him every now and then and he is doing the same thing he used to do on the course – he never gives up. He is trying hard every day and that’s quite impressive.”
While Olazabal is now down at 594th in the world Montgomerie has himself fallen to 137th and, despite taking on the captaincy, wants to start climbing again.
The 45-year-old Scot had only three top-10 finishes last season – his worst return since his rookie season of 1988 – but has been encouraged by coming 15th in Hong Kong and 13th in Dubai already this campaign.
“I’m on the verge,” he said. “I’m busier than ever but I’m still competitive enough to be able to contend.”
Among the many statistics produced for his 500th appearance was one showing that he had a Tour record 182 top-10 finishes. “I’d like to get that to 200,” he added. However, even a win this week would not get him into the field for the first Major of the year.
Ireland’s Paul McGinley who is down to 139th in the rankings is in action today along with Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy, Michael Hoey and Jonathan Caldwell.
Andalucian Open
Course:Royal Seville GC, Spain.
Length:7,134 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney:€1 million, €166,660 for the winner.
Field:156.
Defending champion:Thomas Levet beat Oliver Fisher after a play-off.
Layout:Plenty of doglegs and nine lakes. The par four 15th is guarded by water and two bunkers and is by far the hardest hole.
Weather:Hot to start but cooler at weekend.
