Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal has been confirmed as Europe’s 2012 Ryder Cup captain at a meeting of the European Tour’s tournament committee on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old was confirmed as Colin Montgomerie’s successor for next year’s defence of the trophy in Chicago, Illinois.
Winner of seven caps as a player, Olazabal made his debut at Muirfield Village in 1987 alongside compatriot Seve Ballesteros.
They won their first three games together as Europe triumphed on American soil for the first time and went on to be beaten only twice in 15 contests.
Olazabal made his last appearance at the K Club near Dublin five years ago — he won all his three games there— but after that he served as Nick Faldo’s assistant in Louisville and then joined Montgomerie’s backroom team at Celtic Manor last October. — AFP