Colin Montgomerie not giving up on Olazabal

Published on Wednesday 28 April 2010 20:10

EUROPE'S Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie said he may try again to persuade Jose Maria Olazabal to be one of his assistants at this year's match against the United States.

He also identified Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley as his ideal choices but wants them to focus on their performance over the next couple months in case they can make the team.

Olazabal said last year that he would be reluctant to act as a second-string again after being Nick Faldo's vice-captain in 2008. But the Spaniard, 44, has not played this year because of rheumatic problems and Montgomerie is keen to make use of his vast experience.

"With his experience and from what I heard from the players in 2008, how good he was – and I'm sure he will be a captain of the future – he would be invaluable for our team," said Montgomerie. "I know he was disenchanted with the idea of doing it again, but I'm not ruling him out."

Olazabal is not playing this week's Spanish Open at Seville's Real Club course which he designed. He is, however, hoping to play at another one of his projects, Pula, which hosts the Majorca Open in two weeks. Irishman McGinley and Dane Bjorn are also candidates to be Montgomerie's assistants but the Scot will wait until after the Open before naming them.

"I've got to give them a chance through the Open," he said. "Thomas and Paul are talented enough to go and win the Open. Then what happens? I don't want them having to resign because they want to make the team."