Colin Montgomerie tips Jose Maria Olazabal to become next Europe Ryder Cup captain
Victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has suggested Jose Maria Olazabal to become his successor and lead Europe to glory at the next clash with the United States in two years’ time.
Montgomerie, who led Europe to a 14½-13½ win at this year’s event, said that: “I hope Jose Maria will be well enough to be the next captain. It was between him and me for the captaincy this time and in two years' time he'll be 46, just a year younger than
I am now.”
Double major winner Olazabal was one of the contenders to take the reins for the job in 2010, but lost out to the Scot. However, he has said that the only way he would not take up the role for the 2012 event in Medinah, Chicago, would be if his acute rheumatism
became too much of a problem.
One of the main reasons which led to Montgomerie being appointed was the fact that he has continued to compete regularly on the European Tour while Olazabal has only featured once on tour this season. European Tour chiefs have made it clear that, after Nick
Faldo’s poor captaincy, that the captain must be a regular player on the circuit.
'I'd love to do it'
The 44-year-old Spaniard said that: "I would love to do it. It all depends on my physical situation, but it's much better than it was a few months ago. You need to be close to the players and play with them during the qualifying process."
Olazabal’s candidacy has been endorsed by a string of prominent European players, including triple major winner Padraig Harrington, who won two of his four matches at Celtic Manor.
He said that: “I think Olly would be all the players' choice. Olly has had a great Ryder Cup career, he brings a lot of passion to the game and he looks like he'd make a great captain but it's a tough job."
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