José Maria Olazábal elected to join World Golf Hall of Fame

The World Golf Hall of Fame announced ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth that two-time Masters champion José Maria Olazábal will be part of the 2009 Class of Inductees.

Elected on the International Ballot, Olazábal will enter the Hall of Fame along with previously announced inductees Lanny Wadkins and Christy O’Connor at the annual Induction Ceremony on Monday, November 2 in St. Augustine, Florida.   The Spaniard said: “I am delighted with this news. Only a small group of people are privileged to be in the World Golf Hall of Fame and I have a huge respect for all the players already there.   “They are all great players who have achieved so much, and to have a little square plaque there with my name on it makes me feel very special. I am particularly happy to follow Seve’s footsteps into the Hall of Fame. He opened so many doors for us and we owe him a huge debt.”   Since turning professional in 1985, Olazábal has enjoyed much international success, winning two US Masters in 1994 and 1999, European Tour and four additional PGA TOUR titles.   Olazábal has represented Europe on seven Ryder Cup teams: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999 and 2006, and served as assistant captain to Hall of Fame member Nick Faldo in 2008.

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