Ryder Cup veteran Jose Maria Olazabal said today he was delighted to be playing in the Ryder Cup again after a seven-year break.
Olazabal, 40, who will be taking part in his seventh Ryder Cup, has not played since the European side lost to the United States in Brookline in 1999.
"I'm very happy to be part of the team again. The only thing is that the last time I played I was one of the youngest in the team, now I'm one of the oldest," Olzabal told reporters after flying into Ireland with the rest of the team overnight.
Olazabal, who finished eighth in the Madrid Open last week, rejected suggestions that Europe, who have won four out of the last five Ryder Cup tournaments, were runaway favourites to win.
"It's not going to be easy for us," he said.
Along with Seve Ballesteros, Olazabal formed the most successful Ryder Cup pairing ever, with a record of 11-2-2.
Another Spanish partnership could be on the cards this time, with Sergio Garcia also in the team, although Olazabal said he had no preferences.
"I feel confident playing with pretty much whoever," he said.
- REUTERS
Golf: Olazabal relishing Ryder Cup return
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