Olazabal unsure about vice-captain role

Colin Montgomerie has long admired the passion Jose Maria Olazabal brings to the Ryder Cup – and is looking forward to having him alongside him at Celtic Manor next year either as a player or as a vice-captain.

Olazabal, however, is not sure he wants to be there if he does not qualify for the team.

“I’ve done it before and there are not many decisions to make. There’s not much to do,” said the twice Masters champion, who was Nick Faldo’s assistant in Louisville last year and is fully expected to be captain in Chicago in 2012.

Yet it was only two weeks ago Montgomerie said during a television interview that Olazabal had agreed to be vice-captain should he miss out on qualification.

“Maybe my English is not good,” said the Spaniard.

Montgomerie responded by saying that the pair spoke in Dubai after his appointment in January and he was clear in his own mind at least.

“We’ve had a conversation that he will be involved in the Ryder Cup one way or another,” he commented.

They pair have the chance to chat again this week because they are both at the Andalucian Open in Seville, an event promoted by Miguel Angel Jimenez.

“Golf has given me everything in my life and I want to do something for the people and the land where I was born and live,” said Jimenez.

“Promoting gives me the opportunity to do that and I think other players should do it.”

From past experience he knows it makes it harder to perform at his best, however.

Last year the Malaga golfer was 19th in the same event and he commented: “It’s very difficult. I like to know everything is going perfect and I’m not 100% on my game as I should be.”

Jimenez partners Montgomerie in the opening two rounds, but while the local hero is preparing for The Masters, Montgomerie has no way of qualifying for Augusta.

The Scot, also 45, is down to 137th in the world and only the top 50 next Monday will earn late call-ups to the first major of the year.

This is Montgomerie’s 500th European Tour appearance as a professional and he was presented yesterday with a cake to mark the occasion.