Olazabal Rules Out Captaincy Redux No One Was Clamoring For

From an unbylined Sky Sports report, the 2012 Captain and sportsmanship expert isn't interested in the 2014 job, which will make Peter Hanson happy.

And he doesn't think Monty should be gunning for the job, either.

"It's a different pressure, not one we are used to out there playing on the course. The media scrutinise everything you say and every possibility.

"On top of that, I've done it and it couldn't have been any better. Even if it was held in Spain again somewhere down the line I wouldn't do it.

"Monty has also done it and was successful too. If I was him I wouldn't do it again, but Monty is his own man. It's being played in Scotland close to his home. It's his decision."

Update on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 12:00 PM by Geoff

**Rory tweets yet another endorsement for Paul McGinley:

Comments

[Robert Matre]

"Sportsmanship Expert". Classic Shack!

[nguyenvuminh]

Between opportunistic comments/cheap shots at Monty and umpteenth remarks about Olazabal's "sportmanship", Geoff sounds like a nagging wife who can't let go of things.

[BenSeattle]

The previous poster does have a point. Rather than take an undeserved cheap shot a Jose Maria, he should be commended on his stance that helps pave the way for a new name for Europe... not himself, not Monty, not Jacklin.... etc.

[KLG]

Playing fairly for the win outright instead of for the tie that allows you to keep the trophy is not poor sportsmanship.

[Hawkeye]

Geoff, since you're a model of consistency I'm sure you're still angry with Ben Crenshaw for not ordering Justin Leonard to concede Olazabal's putt on the 17th at Brookline, and for not making sure that the 1999 Ryder Cup ended in a 14-14 tie. But I'm sure you're just forgetting putting that in in your numerous posts about his current-day endeavours with Bill Coore. No?

[smails]

Who Cares! Pick em already so jeff can tell us why the pick is stupid.

[DTF]

"It's his decision."

Smart man that Ollie...

[digsouth]

This ''captain'' shit is worse than the POTUS nev er ending campaigning.

At least it doesn't take long to read/comment on Shaqck, because I could give a rat's ass about ''who''

I say let Monty have it, and make a fool out of himself. That's my vote. Apologies to the Euros, whom I know ,really care.

[elf]

All the players want McGinley (or Darren) none of them want Monty. Of course all the US players wanted DL3. But really this is silly, they'll all be fine

[Ghillie]

Clarke's vacillations have pretty well knocked him out of it, and there does not appear to be a player groundswell to make him change his mind. Monty has to tread carefully, as campaigning is not encouraged (something Clarke never grasped). The wild card is the Tour executive. Left to themselves, the Players' Committee would approve McGinley. If the Exec had half a brain and realised that winning is the best thing for commercial success, which is assured anyway at least for Gleneagles (they can partly thank the US team for that) they would endorse McGinley, whoi, unlike everyone else here, seems more concerned about doing the job than playing to the headlines.

He is enthusiastically supported by players. THAT is the role of a captain -- someone whom the team can rally around. They did it for Monty when it was his time; they would not likely do it again except through gritted teeth. And we have seen for years how well gritted teeth served Tiger Woods in Ryder Cups.

But I do not trust any room in which George O'Grady -- the man who makes Ken Schofield look like St. Francis of Assisi -- lurks. Anything could happen.

[No Longer Used to be Former Stack & Tilt Convert]

Seems like we have been beating this dead horse a long time. Agree with KLG, not bad sportsmanship. If TW had conceded Molinari's putt, it would have been a different story.

[DTF]

Bringing their best at the RC just seems to be in the DNA of the UK/Euro players....my suspicion is installing the greatest RC player ever as their captain would in no way blunt the on-course efforts of said players, they just can't help themselves.

Unless of course Rory were to dog it if his guy isn't picked -- surely Rory wouldn't do that would he?

[Colin MacGillivray]

Said before here - Tony Jacklin

[DTF]

That's an excellent idea Colin. Problem is he's had 4 and Rory says it should be 1 and done ;)

[Press Agent]

Just give it to McGinley with Monty as a vice captain, or if that's not good enough make it some kind of co-captain-ship.

[Ghillie]

So what? The ET is not the PGA Tour and Rory is not Tiger. O'Grady might be a sleaze, but he is not Finchem, grovelling to every half-uttered wish of his superstar.

Half the team a few years ago had never really heard of Faldo, and vice versa -- look how well that worked. The current crop really have not heard of Jacklin, except in the same way they MIGHT have heard of, say, Tiberius Caesar. And, let's face it, Jacklin is no Tom Watson.

I hope the ET does not over-react to the Watson choice, which is a desperation move. They don't have to. And what will he achieve? A few cheers from nostalgic Scots? They need to pick the guy who will do the job best. That is McGinley.

Alas, the ET gives me even less notice, believe it or not, than they do Rory...

[fyg]

Yeah, make it a co-captaincy of McGinley and Monty.

That ought to be fun.

[DTF]

What is it that McGinley brings to the table that no other potential Captain could or would? Why is McGinley "the best"?

[Ghillie]

He brings less ego than Monty or Clarke. He is universally liked on the Tour -- a sweet temperament. He has been a very successful captain of the Seve and apparently a damned useful Vice on several RCs. He has, despite a slimmer cv than some, fire in his belly. He will work harder than anyone else -- he knows he is not a superstar. He is a nice man.

The players like him. That has to be important.

And the alternatives seem to be a blowhard and a dithery blowhard, or an antique whom the current players assumed had been bronzed.

[Stiggy]

Poulter and Donald both supporting McGinley on Twitter today.

Seems that the players are very much in his corner.

Presumably they know what makes a good captain and they think Paul NcGinley has what it takes.

[Press Agent]

I think it's important to remember Monty didn't negotiate his way into being considered like some second rate city trying to get the Olympics, his name was put forward by other people, especially after it was revealed that the US was going back to the old days with their Watson pick. Many people think McGinley will be a great captain, myself included, and he is deserving of it, however that doesn't have to come along with even more beating up on Monty.

[DTF]

So less is more in this case?

With Ror's, Poult's and Avis all expressing public support seems as though it will be tough for their committee to pick anyone other McGinley.