Olazabel tipped for Ryder Cup Captaincy

Spanish Ryder Cup legend Jose Maria Olazabel has been tipped by many to be named Europe's next Ryder Cup captain for the 2012 clash at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois.

The European Tour is holding a media conference about the Ryder Cup on 18 January, the day the captaincy is being discussed by its tournament committee.

Olazabel made his Cup debut in 1987 and has etched his name in the tournaments history as he formed the most successful-ever partnership with Seve Ballesteros.

Since then he has played in seven battles with USA and been vice-captain twice, the first under Sir Nick Faldo in 2008 and then a late call up to Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor.

Montgomerie has ruled himself out of the running in Chicago after he said he wants to play again but he and so many others give Olazabel their backing.

The only doubt over Olazabal's suitability was his long-running battle with rheumatic pain, which meant he only played in one tournament in the first nine months of this year.

But he would appear to have given the Tour the health assurances it needs and earned its endorsement.