FACTFILE:
Personal Profile
| Full Name | José María Olazábal | |||
| Country | Spain | |||
| Born | 05/02/1966; Fuenterrabia, Spain | |||
| Turned Pro | 1985 (plus four) | |||
| Qualifying School | 1985 (winner) | |||
| Interests | Pop music, cinema, hunting, wildlife, ecology |
Ryder Cup History:
| Appearances as a Player | 1987 (winners), 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997 (winners), 1999, 2006 | |||
| Appearances as a Captain | 2008 - Vice Captain, 2010 - Vice Captain (winners), 2012 - Captain (winners), 2014 - Vice Captain (winners) | |||
| Overall Playing Record | Played 31, Won 18, Lost 8, Halved 5 | |||
| Singles Record | Played 7, Won 2, Lost 4, Halved 1 | |||
| Foursomes | Played 10, Won 7, Lost 2, Halved 1 | |||
| Fourballs | Played 14, Won 9, Lost 2, Halved 3 | |||
| Total Points | 20½ |
Ryder Cup Records Held:
Shares with Ian Woosnam the record for most fourball points with 10½.
Partnership alongside Seve Ballesteros.
Formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history.
Their record reads: Played 15, Won 11, Lost 2, Halved 2, Points 12.
The partnership played in 15 consecutive foursome and fourball matches, beginning with the day one foursomes of 1987
and ending with the day two foursomes in 1993.
*In 1987 they won three out of four matches together. In both the 1989 and 1991 Matches the duo also claimed three and a half points
out of a possible four. Their partnership ended in 1993 with two points from their three games.
European Tour Career Record:
| Events Played | 470 | |||
| In Money | 364 | |||
| Top Ten Finishes | 151 | |||
| Official Career Earnings | €12,362,342 | |||
| European Tour Victories (Incl. Majors | 23 | |||
| Major Championships | 2 - Masters Tournament (1994 & 1999) | |||
| International Tournament Victories (Excl. Majors) | 6 | |||
| Amateur Victories | 7 |
TEN CLASSIC PHOTOS:
1. On the shoulders of a giant…
It’s no secret that Olazábal was close to his compatriot Seve Ballesteros. The duo formed a legendary Ryder Cup partnership, winning 11 of their 15 matches together, and this picture captures the special bond they shared.
2. A winner in Dubai
Given that Ollie's birthday falls on the second round of this year's Omega Dubai Desert Classic, it’s only right that we include this photo of his success at the event in 1998.
3. Celebrating on the Swilcan Bridge
After victory in the Alfred Dunhill Cup in 2000, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Miguel Angel Martin joined their compatriot on one of the most iconic landmarks in golf.
4. Oh, this thing?
After winning The 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, Ollie returned with his team's reward on full display. Now that's what we call a carry-on!
5. The two amigos
At the 1999 Masters, Ollie was not the only Spaniard who impressed. Sergio Garcia, then only 19 years old, was the sole amateur to make the cut in Georgia.
6. Revelling in The Ryder Cup
During The 2008 Ryder Cup, Ollie, acting as Vice Captain to Nick Faldo, poses for a picture with the wives and girlfriends of the European players.
7. Fortune favours the brave
A moment of good luck caused this reaction at the BMW PGA Championship in 2007. However, there was little chance of not being seen in his trademark orange shirt.
8. The first Green Jacket
In 1994, Ollie won his first Masters title, finishing two shots clear of Tom Lehman. Five years later he would take the coveted jacket back.
9. Mr. Composure
During Europe’s Ryder Cup success in 2012, the captain keeps his cool while his team celebrate around him on day two.
10. What’s the story?
Reading the morning papers must have felt slightly different for Ollie and Nicolas Colsaerts following the 2012 Ryder Cup success.
