Langer’s Ryder Cup stand greedy, says Ballesteros

SEVERIANO BALLESTEROS has described Bernhard Langer’s reluctance to commit himself entirely to the captaincy of the 2004 European Ryder Cup team as “greedy”.

Ballesteros was in Portlaoise at the weekend to officially open the Seve Ballesteros Natural Golf Academy at the luxurious 95 million Heritage Golf and Country Club.

Seve and Jeff Howes (the man responsible along with Jack Nicklaus for Mount Juliet and for the hugely successful refurbishment of Fota Island) are the co-designers of the Heritage course due to open this week and which is augmented by a massive clubhouse, the Ballesteros academy, a nine hole par three course ideal for experienced golfers and beginners, indoor and outdoor bowling greens and many other facilities.

Ballesteros is surprised Bernhard Langer isn’t pinning his colours to the mast one way or the other where the Ryder Cup captaincy is concerned.

“To be captain of the Ryder Cup team is a huge responsibility and hard work,” said Ballesteros. “For him to suggest that he will resign as captain if he qualifies for the team is unfair. It’s like applying for two jobs and I don’t think that’s correct at all.

"I would think that’s a bit greedy. When I was named as captain, I gave away my chances of qualifying because I decided to be captain. It’s very simple. No second thoughts. That wouldn’t be fair to the others. It’s a bit greedy. I think Bernhard would be a great captain, I think it’s also fair to say that.”

As for his own future, Ballesteros laughs off the possibility of ever coming into the reckoning for a Ryder Cup place in the future. “I still want to compete because I love the competition, but to play in the Ryder Cup again is not among my dreams.

“I played already eight times and have also been the captain. I love this game and enjoy the competition, but I haven’t been able to play very much this year because of my back.

"To play golf and to compete, I must feel good physically. If that is not possible, it is very difficult to play very well and that’s why I only played six tournaments this year.

"I’ve been exercising and trying to take care of my back but it’s not easy. As you get older, nothing is going to get better, if anything only worse.

"I want to prepare myself for next year and try again and if I feel happy and comfortable and play well, I will play a few tournaments and see how things go. Depending on that I will play more or just a few tournaments for fun. I’m only 46 and I’m not thinking about the seniors tours or anything like that.”

* An in-depth interview with Ballesteros appears in tomorrow’s Golf Plus section of the Irish Examiner.