Late Ryder bid for Olazabal

Jose Maria Olazabal might easily have been made Ryder Cup captain by now if he had said months ago he wanted the job.

Now he has finally declared himself available for selection, the Spaniard has heavyweight competition in the shape of Colin Montgomerie ahead of the decision next Wednesday.

Not that Olazabal should worry about missing out totally like Sandy Lyle. If Montgomerie is still put in charge for Celtic Manor next year then Olazabal would appear to be a certainty for Chicago in 2012.

Assistant to Nick Faldo in the Louisville defeat last September, the 42-year-old from San Sebastian was reported to have done a fine job.

He looked a natural successor but, despite the rheumatism that had kept him out of action for much of the year, said he wanted to play next time and so the guessing game started.

Montgomerie, who said the same thing, spoke up for fellow Scot Lyle, while 2006 captain Ian Woosnam was in the running, too, for the first-ever match on Welsh soil. Miguel Angel Jimenez’s name was mentioned as well.