Chema Olazábal is one of the best players in the history of world golf. Winner of two Augusta Masters and four Ryder Cups, the last one as captain, he is one of the stars participating these days in Logroño in the Spanish Golf Championship. Also, a close person who does not shy away from any photo or autograph. A luxury.
– Being from the north, it is his first time in Logroño.
– So far I haven’t had much time. Playing both on the European circuit and on the American PGA, I had very few dates available and when I returned I wanted to be home. With COVID-19, things have become very complicated at a competitive level. They are competing on the European circuit and in the United States, but due to my situation as a risk patient I have decided not to take risks. I will see if I play the last tournaments and having more free time has presented the opportunity to play the Spanish championship and I have encouraged myself.
«As a player, the most special was in 1997 in Valderrama; as captain, that of 2012 »
LAS RYDER CUP
«I combine the life of a professional player with that of designing golf courses»
THE FUTURE
– How is the life of Olazábal a little further from the media spotlight?
– It’s a little more peaceful life. I still have a golf activity, I play some tournaments and my intention is to continue playing the Senior in the Champions Tour in the United States, but I combine that facet with the design of the courses. And even though we are in a pandemic, I had to go to Greece to review a 36-hole project.
– What other projects do you have in hand?
– The renovation of the La Sella field in Denia and another project in Saudi Arabia that we hope to start working on relatively soon.
– The first Spanish Championship held in Logroño was won by Miguel Ángel Jiménez. Now his son, Miguel, participates. Is having an illustrious surname a benefit or a burden?
– The last name is not so much the problem. The burden is given by the level that this surname has shown over many years. And very few arrive at the top, some privileged, special, select players who have something. And if you think in numbers, we are talking about 150 players … In the end, the last name itself is not a burden. Those last names have done very special things.
– Won four Ryder (biennial golf tournament pitting teams from Europe and the United States). What was the most special? The one who was captain of the European team (2012)?
– It would be necessary to differentiate the Ryder Cups. Playing it is not the same as being a captain. The emotions are different, the sensation is also different, as is the pressure. As a player you are focused on the game you are in, on the shot you have to deliver and all your senses are directed to that execution. As captain you have to worry about other things: that the players are comfortable, that they feel comfortable, special, that they do not lack anything. Yes it is true that you cannot do anything. That pressure made me more uncomfortable.
– Not being able to do anything.
– That’s. He didn’t have that experience of having to watch the bulls from the sidelines. As a player, the 1997 victory at Valderrama was very special, as it was the first to come out of the British Isles, as well as being played in Spain. As captain, that of 2012, especially because of how it came about.
Plus
– A Ryder with a great comeback from Europe and with a special dedication for Severiano Ballesteros (who died in May 2011).
– Yes, it was very special.
– How much did Severiano influence your life?
– He was a very special person in my life, in my career, to whom I owe a lot, as well as to all that generation of players who started before us –Cañizares, Piñero, Rivero– who welcomed me with open arms and who helped to make the transition to the professional world easier. I thank everyone, but especially Severiano with whom I played a lot of Ryder, I spent many hours with him, I learned a lot. He taught me small important details, not only at the level of the game but how to fight on the field, what attitude to have. An example.
– Where do you keep the ‘green jackets’ (green jacket given to the winners of the Augusta Masters)?
– (laughs) No, the ‘green jackets’ stay at the club. The year you win, during that year you take it to the next Masters. You have to be careful when using it, you have to ask for permission. For example, I used them at the reception with the King.
– Another Basque, Jon Rahm, is number two in the world. He is young, strong, physically and mentally. How do you see him?
– He has all the skills and qualities to stay at the top. He has a very good long game, hits him hard and is very exquisite in the short game. It has all the elements to win ‘big’ (the US Open, the British, the PGA and Augusta). And sooner or later it will. It will take time, your process, but you will earn them.
– What did you think of Campo de Logroño?
– I have had a very pleasant surprise. It is a public field that is in very good condition. I congratulate the staff, who are only six people. I take my hat off for the work they have done to present the field in these conditions. It is a demanding field, for me already a bit long.
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