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Olazabal named Ryder Cup captain

Jose Maria Olazabal has huge respect from his fellow pros © PA Photos

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Jose Maria Olazabal has been confirmed as Europe's 2012 Ryder Cup captain.

Olazabal's playing career has been plagued by injury, but the two-time Masters winner is one of the most revered players on tour and has the overwhelming backing of his peers.

He was one of Colin Montgomerie's assistants in the win at Celtic Manor and there was a wave of support in the hours, days and weeks following the victory. And he has been given the nod by the European Tour - with the announcement confirmed on Tuesday.

Olazabal has had some great moments as a player, but he admits being handed the captaincy is an achievement that fills him with pride.

"The two Masters wins at Augusta National are the highlight of my playing career, but this is my proudest moment," he said. "Without question the Ryder Cup has given me many memorable times, especially with Seve [Ballesteros] from the moment we were first partners in 1987 and Europe won in America for the first time. We were unbeaten in 1989 and 1991 and we won our last match together in 1993.

"Seve was also our captain at Valderrama in 1997 and that was especially significant because the match was played in Spain and on the Continent for the first time and, of course, we won.

"In all I've played under five captains - Tony Jacklin, Bernard Gallacher, Mark James, Ian Woosnam and Seve - and the last in 2006 with Woosie was one to remember because we won 18½ - 9½.

"I played two fourball matches with Sergio [Garcia] and we won both and then I beat Phil Mickelson in the singles, which was the last match I played.

"It was also a wonderful experience to be involved as a vice-captain with Nick Faldo in 2008 and then again with Colin Montgomerie when we regained the Cup at Celtic Manor last year."

Olazabal has faced a constant battle with rheumatism in recent seasons, but he is not looking to scale back his playing commitments after being named Ryder Cup captain.

"This is the first of four tournaments in succession I am playing on the Desert Swing of the European Tour," he said ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship. "I am looking forward to competing again and giving myself the chance to win.

"I have accepted the captaincy, but I think my desire to keep playing is known by everyone. But I want to stress it is a great honour to become the European Ryder Cup captain and I will be committed to getting everything right in the build-up to the 2012 match."

Padraig Harrington is in no doubt that the Spaniard is the right man for the job of defending the Ryder Cup at Medinah in 2012.

"If it's anything to go from when he was vice-captain, he was incredibly emotional in the team room and really got the players behind him," Harrington told Sky Sports News.

"I think any player playing in a team with Jose will be inspired. I think the Ryder Cup means more to him than any other player who has ever played the game.

"He definitely is inspirational so it'd definitely be a team you'd want to be in and you'd want to see that in the team room."

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