Captain Olazabal inspired by Ryder Cup teammates
Spaniard fourth after first round in Shanghai
Unburdened by Ryder Cup expectations and the stress of being captain, Jose Maria Olazabal is now having fun.
The Spaniard, who led Europe to arguably the greatest victory in Ryder Cup history last month, showed he can still wield a mean golf club to put his name alongside his heroes on Thursday, the first day of the inaugural US$7 million BMW Masters in Shanghai.
Inspired by seeing 11 of his 12-strong team, Olazabal fired a five-under 67 at the Lake Malaran Golf Club to finish the first round in joint fourth, behind leader Jamie Donaldson (10-under 62).
Of the 11 players from the Ryder Cup team (Sergio Garcia is missing), only Peter Hanson and Francesco Molinari finished above Olazabal. World No 1 Rory McIlroy finished alongside Olazabal, with Justin Rose a stroke back. Luke Donald and Lee Westwood finished at two under.
“They showed me how to play the game, so hopefully I got some tips from them,” laughed 46-year-old Olazabal after his bogey-free round.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough year-and-a-half, a lot of things going on in your mind, decisions to make, meetings to attend. I’m really glad that it’s over,” Olazabal said of the 18 months he immersed himself in being a Ryder Cup captain, describing it as “torture” at times.
“The pressure of organising things and making decisions is gone. So now it’s fun time.”