Olly still has Ryder dream

JOSE-MARIA Olazabal has been a great friend of the Irish Open ever since he first competed as an amateur at Royal Dublin in 1985.

He had captured the British Amateur Championship the previous year and was regarded as one of the game’s brightest prospects.

He played all four rounds at the Dollymount venue and appreciated the opportunity to take on the professionals. He duly joined the paid ranks later that year and never forgot the gesture, and includes the Irish Open in his schedule whenever possible.