Appointing Olazabal as Ryder Cup Vice Captain is a Masterstroke

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald did not get much wrong during the build-up to his team’s resounding victory in Rome two years ago. And he was flawless during the three days of an event that saw Zach Johnson’s American side sent packing with their collective tails between their legs.

It was little surprise that Donald was asked to do the job again. Other victorious captains have chosen to walk away after one stint in what has become an all-consuming job, but not the Englishman.

No European team has won on American soil since the Miracle of Medinah in 2012, when Europe stormed back from a 10-6 deficit after the first two days to claim a highly unlikely and emotional victory. 

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At one point on Saturday afternoon the home side led 10-4 and it looked to be done and dusted. But then came the heroics of Ian Poulter, followed by a storming comeback in the final day singles and the most improbable of European successes. They won 14.5-13.5 - and it was the last time either side won away from home.

This year’s contest is being played at Bethpage Black in New York. The atmosphere will be hostile, to say the least.

And in the build-up, Donald has come up trumps once again. 

The captain at Medinah was Jose Maria Olazabal, a man who is part and parcel of the history of the Ryder Cup and one of the most passionate of all Europeans. Ollie’s motivational speeches at Medinah reduced many of his players to tears and inspired them to dig deep on that final day to win the Ryder Cup for Seve Ballesteros, who had recently passed away.

So it makes perfect sense that Donald should ask Olazabal to be one of his vice-captains at Bethpage. And I can guarantee that Donald will be encouraging the Spaniard to take the lead when the right thing needs to be said, most especially if Europe find themselves trailing.

Olazabal is one of the Ryder Cup's most successful players. He competed seven times between 1987 and 2006, being on the winning side three times and also being on the European side that retained the trophy via a tie in 1989. He formed a formidable partnership with Ballesteros, the duo paired together a record 15 times and claimed 11 wins and two ties. Olazabal's nine fourball match wins are the second-most in the competition's history.

"It is wonderful news," said Olazabal, who is doing the job for the fifth time. "When Luke asked me about the possibility of being a vice-captain again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because being in New York, it's not going to be easy.

"But the Ryder Cup is very close to my heart. I have wonderful memories about this event so I said yes. Luke did a wonderful job in Rome and I believe he will do a very good job this time round too. He took care of absolutely all the details: players, caddies, families. It was wonderful to see some of the lines he came up with and the images from past champions.

"It was great also to see him working the way he did during the week, being so close to the players. It was fantastic to be part of that Ryder Cup team."

As Donald said, Olazabal "bleeds blue and gold like nobody else".

"His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none," added Donald. "He is just an inspiration to so many players, which made such a difference in Rome. It's also extremely important for us to know we have the last captain to have won on foreign soil on our side. I was part of that team as a player and got to witness his never-give-up attitude and the inspiration he drew from Seve that week. There might be some tough times in New York when we all need that experience, that passion and that mentality."

European golfers have dominated proceedings on the PGA Tour this season. Of course it is going to be a huge challenge to retain the trophy at Bethpage but their success on the course and the appointment of Olazabal most definitely gives them an early edge.