Jose Maria Olazabal: Spaniard named European Ryder Cup vice-captain

Jose Maria Olazabal has been named as Europe’s third vice-captain for this year’s Ryder Cup in New York.

Olazabal, who captained Team Europe to their last victory on American soil in 2012, returns to his role from 2023 when Europe beat the United States 16½-11½ to regain the Ryder Cup in Rome.

The 59-year-old Spaniard joins English captain Luke Donald’s backroom team for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black alongside Italian Edoardo Molinari and Dane Thomas Bjorn.

“It is wonderful news,” said Olazabal, who played in seven Ryder Cups between 1987 and 2006.

“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 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.”

Donald, 47, added: “[Jose] 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.

“He bleeds blue and gold like nobody else. 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.”