Seve Ballesteros has named José Maria Olazábal as his wild card pick for the Seve Trophy match between Continental Europe and the Great Britain and Ireland side led by Colin Montgomerie which takes place Campo de Golf Parador El Saler from November 6-9.
Olazábal’’s inclusion in the ten-man team means there will be five Spaniards competing on home soil for Continental Europe after Miguel Angel Jiménez nudged his way into the team with his victory in the Turespana Mallorca Classic followed by a joint 20th finish in the Telefonica Open de Madrid, the last counting event in the qualifying process. They join Sergio Garcia and Ignacio Garrido in the home side along with other continentals Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Germany's Alex Cejka, Swedes Niclas Fasth and Fredrik Jacobson and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin.
"I chose Olazábal because he is a great champion and has experience of match play from all his past Ryder Cups and two Seve Trophy matches," commented captain Ballesteros.
“I am very proud to have five Spaniards on the team, all of whom will be a big draw for the Spanish public, as will the other five outstanding champions in our team.”
Montgomerie is scheduled to finalise his Great Britain and Ireland team on Monday.
Teams
Continental Europe:
Seve Ballesteros (captain), Thomas Bjorn, Fredrik Jacobson, Sergio Garcia, Alex Cejka, Ignacio Garrido, Raphael Jacquelin, Niclas Fasth, Miguel Angel Jimenez. Wild card: Jose Maria Olazabal
Great Britain and Ireland qualifiers:
Colin Montgomerie (captain), Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Phillip Price, Brian Davis. Wild card: to be named.
