European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald has named José María Olazábal as his third vice captain for September’s matches in New York.
Olazábal returns to the role having also been one of Donald’s five deputies when Europe won so convincingly in Italy in 2023. The 59-year-old Spaniard was the last captain to lead Europe to victory on US soil, overseeing the most famous comeback victory of all time at Medinah in 2012.
As a player, he represented Europe in the Ryder Cup seven times from 1987 to 2006, forming the most iconic partnership in the history of the biennial contest with compatriot Seve Ballesteros.
This year’s Ryder Cup will be the fifth time Olazábal has been a vice captain after previously performing the role in 2008, 2010 and 2014, as well as in Rome two years ago. He rejoins Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn and Italian Edoardo Molinari in Donald’s backroom team.
Olazábal said: “It is wonderful news. When Luke approached me and asked me about the possibility of being a vice captain again, I have to be honest, I thought about it for a while because, you know, 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’!
“I think 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.
“It’s really hard to win away from home in the United States. In New York, we know the crowds are going to be very loud and the golf course will be set up in favour of the US team – we’ll have to handle that, too. I think there is not any bigger challenge for a golfer than facing a Ryder Cup away from home and we have to be mentally prepared for that.”
Donald said: “I am delighted to welcome José María back to the vice captain role. He is synonymous with European golf and the Ryder Cup and everything it represents. So to have him back as part of my backroom team is incredibly positive for us. His passion for the Ryder Cup is second to none. 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.”