• Ryder Cup

Ballesteros backs Olazabal's captaincy

ESPN staff
January 19, 2011
Jose Maria Olazabal will be Europe's captain at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Chicago © Getty Images
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Seve Ballesteros has lent his support to Jose Maria Olazabal's Ryder Cup captaincy after he was confirmed as European skipper for the 2012 tournament in Chicago.

Ballesteros and Olazabal were a formidable Ryder Cup pairing, tormenting the American team by winning 11 of their 15 fixtures together.

Although they are unlikely to be reunited in 2012 - Ballesteros is still receiving treatment for brain cancer - the 53-year-old insists he will follow Olazabal's progress closely.

"Today is a happy day for me," he said. "A wonderful announcement for European golf and one of the best [pieces of] news to start 2011. It goes without saying Jose Maria's election is the right one. I suppose it will be very difficult for me to be in the United States but I hope to watch it on TV and see his success.

"Jose Maria, I wish you the best of luck. Same as in the old times, you will have my support. You know better than anyone else what has to be done."

Olazabal concedes Ballesteros is unlikely to be able to join him for the tournament, in which Europe will be defending champions after their win at Celtic Manor in 2010. "I would love him to be able to travel to Chicago and stand alongside me, but being realistic I think those chances are very slim."

Unlike previous skipper Colin Montgomerie, Olazabal has confirmed he will press for two wildcard picks, rather than three.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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