Olazabal named Ryder Cup captain

Jose Maria Olazabal has been named Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2012 contest in Chicago where the American's will be looking to win back the trophy following their defeat at Celtic Manor.

The Spaniard had been widely tipped to take over the job from Colin Montgomerie having been vice-captain in two Ryder Cups and having played in seven of the biennial contests.

England's world number one Lee Westwood said: "He will bring leadership,

experience and passion, and is going to be fantastic when he leads the

team."

As a player, Olazabal lost only ten times in 31 matches, forging a formidable partnership with Seve Ballesteros that saw them him lose only two of 15 games.

Olazabal competed only three times last year because of a continuing battle with rheumatism, but he starts this week in the Abu Dhabi Championship and will look to play more events this season and in the lead up to the defence of the trophy in Chicago in September 2012.

Where next?

Golf Monthly's Top 100 Course Rankings