• Ryder Cup

Olazabal ready to captain Europe - health permitting

Jose Maria Olazabal admits he will accept the European captaincy if his health improves © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Europe dedicate victory to Seve
  
• News: Monty and Westwood back Olazabal for captaincy
  
• News: Europe cling on to reclaim Ryder Cup
  
• News: Monty won't captain Europe again
  

Jose Maria Olazabal has confirmed he would accept the role of European Ryder Cup captaincy if his health improves ahead of Chicago in two years' time.

Olazabal's name, like Seve Ballesteros, is synonymous with the Ryder Cup after seven appearances as a player. The respect held for the Spaniard is so great that, having arrived at Celtic Manor in a promotional role over the weekend, Colin Montgomerie moved to secure him as a fifth vice-captain in Europe's 14½-13½ victory.

Ahead of the competition, Montgomerie explained Olazabal would have been one of his four initial picks for vice-captain had the 45-year-old not been suffering from rheumatism, and Olazabal admits illness is the only thing that would prevent him saying 'yes' if offered the job for the 2012 Ryder Cup in the US.

"It's been mentioned, yes, by the players and by Monty, but there's just one issue and that's my health," he told Sky Sports. "I'd love to do it, but I have to feel certain things... time will tell."

Asked what he would say if his health was not an issue, Olazabal replied: "There's only one answer: Yes. It's always an honour when you're captain of the European team."

Darren Clarke, the hero of the European team when they last won the Ryder Cup at the K Club in 2006, has also seen his name mentioned as a possible successor to Montgomerie, but he has his eyes on a more active role in two years' time.

"I want to try and play another one if I can," confirmed Clarke.

Just 24 hours after their thrilling win at Celtic Manor, every player already seems to be expecting Olazabal to fill Montgomerie's void, and Ian Poulter predicted the two-time Masters winner would be the perfect choice.

"Ole for sure," Poulter replied when asked who should be the next captain. "If he accepts to take it I think he would do a fantastic job. He's got an amazing calmness about himself. He's played so many, he understands the format so well, and everyone's got a lot of respect for him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.