"Today is a happy day for me. A wonderful announcement for European golf and one of the best news to start 2011. It is the election of my dear friend José María Olazabal as the next captain of the Ryder Cup European Team.
It goes without saying that José María’s election is the right one because we will have a great leader heading a fantastic group of players.
In United States, within a year and a half, José María Olazabal and our European Team will make things extremely difficult for the American Team. José Mari (that is the way I call him) has a deep knowledge of this competition and besides he is a great friend of mine, a great champion and the best medium iron player I have ever met, in addition, I would say that he is one of the most respected and admired among European and international golfers.
Last Friday I was able to talk to him over the telephone.
His phone calls are always very special to me. We spoke about many things, among which the 2012 Ryder Cup. As everyone knows, with Jose Mari I had great moments along my golf career and indeed the experiences we have shared at the Ryder Cup have been memorable moments which neither of us will forget.
I suppose that it will be very difficult for me to be in the United States on 2012 and witness the Captaincy of my dear friend but I hope to watch it on TV and see his success as Captain in the same way he always did as a player.
I am very glad for José Mari and I believe it is the right time for him to be captain of the Ryder Cup European Team although I still think that he has some years ahead to reach important achievements as a player.
José Mari is somebody who never loses his faith and hopes and he has always been a hard worker, never giving up. I am very sure that his appointment as Captain of the 2012 Ryder Cup European Team is the right decision.
Each Ryder Cup Captain has his own way to do things but anyone taking up this commitment knows very well what it is all about and what involves this special competition. José Mari is very knowledgeable about this event. Whatever the result will be on 2012 I can assure that José María will perform a model role.
José Mari, I wish you the best of luck and I am sure that your role as Captain will be top class on the next Ryder Cup. Same as in the old times, you will have my support. You know better than anyone else what has to be done.
Good Luck CHEMA!”
We are in very good hands.
