Olazabal ready to do it the hard way

Twice Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal is not into begging – and he will not do it now he finds himself struggling for a place in next month’s US Open.

The United States Golf Association have it in their power to invite stars who are no longer exempt.

After a slump to 157th in the world Olazabal is in that position and so, for the first time in his life, he has entered a qualifying tournament for a major.

“I am not going to beg for an invite,” said the 38-year-old Spanish star, one stroke off the lead going into today’s second round of the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Heidelberg.

“I would love to play, but I think you have to deserve it. It would not be fair for all of the other guys that are trying their hearts out to get in.

“The way I am playing at the moment I have not earned my spot and it is going to be like that. I am going to try to earn it.”