Inicio News A no-holds-barred chat with José María Olazábal

A no-holds-barred chat with José María Olazábal

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José Mari Olazábal was at La Sella Golf Resort for the Lacoste Promises Finals, an initiative oriented toward the youngest golfers to whom it has been a faithful host for the last twelve editions. The two-time Masters champion, who boasts 35 international titles among his prize list, seven-time participant in the Ryder Cup and who was deemed captain of the “Medinah miracle” in 2012, enjoyed “pleasant moments in a very family oriented atmosphere”, dove head first into the 24 finalists of the Lacoste – 12 boys and 12 girls Sub-16- and had time for it all, even for a chat on the reflection of the divine and the human.

He was ninth in the last complete tournament he competed in, the Hassan II Trophy in Morocco (3-29-15), and with a final score of 71 shots in the second round of the Masters (4-10-15). “I was well placed in Morocco, but the first day in Augusta I fell off track. After the Masters I noticed some stiffness, I practiced a bit the following Monday and went unsure to the Open de España. I couldn’t play. I went back home, started to see doctors, do tests…and here I am, taking anti-inflammatories and corticoids, unable to do anything. If I don’t move too much it doesn’t hurt, but as soon as I try to move my shoulders hurt, the groin area, inner thighs and hamstrings. The same thing that happened to me in June 2007 in the US Open: my joints started hurting overnight and I couldn’t move. It’s not worth thinking about the situation any further, it came when it came. It’s frustrating, no doubt; being home and unable to move nor to even come close to doing your daily, normal routine, is a bit rough. But the same thing that happened last time when I got better afterward, could happen this time as well. They say they’re phases, cycles… Now it’s time to be optimistic and to wait it out, it’s a slow process, around five to six months. The same old story, nothing more to add.

“Throughout these months I’ve watched a lot of tv, all sports, documentaries and movies, and I’ve done a lot of Sudokus, a few more and I’ll win first prize in Sudoku. I saw what Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIIroy did. The season has been exceptional and it’s been split into parts: Spieth dominated the first half playing at an extraordinary level, it doesn’t seem possible that he could play at such a high level. Jason Day, three fourths of the same thing, he was spectacular, he really stood out this year. We’ve been witness to a year that will go down in history. Both of them have played an astonishing game of golf. The silly accident that held Rory back from competing with them was a shame.

Day and Spieth’s stories… “It was nice to see Spieth and Day win with the history behind each one of them. On some occasions we’ve seen golfers come out strong in difficult situations and reach the top, and keeping in mind the problems Jason had when he was young, it’s even more noteworthy. The fundamental reason why Jordan is so well centered at 21 years old is his sister’s disability; the stark reality of life makes you see things differently and helps you value how fortunate you are”.

Changes in the European Tour regulations… “I don’t think taking the minimum down to five tournaments in order to become a member of the Tour makes such a big difference. Yes, it’s true that this assessment will make things easier for the those who are not among the top 50 and can’t access the four Majors, nor the WGC. As far as the possible agreement with the Asian Tour, the cards are on the table and for now, nothing has been finalized. I think it’s still too soon to give an opinion on the matter. We’ll see”.

Ryder Cup 2016… “Although there’s still a long way to go in finalizing the team, we’ll continue to have six or seven players as the backbone like McIIroy, Stenson, Rose, McDowell… There are possible candidates such as Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett or Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has taken one step forward, but still needs to take another one. Darren Clarke (captain of the European team 2016) is respected by his colleagues; he is a temperamental golfer who has learned to control that part of his personality throughout the years. The Americans are doing things much differently, now they are taking players’ opinions into consideration when it comes to making decisions, which has contributed in creating a higher team spirit. After the last few losses, playing the next edition at home will add to the pressure. The election of Davis Love III as captain I think is a good decision. They came down on him hard after Chicago and it wasn’t an issue with his position as captain, which he did well; that Sunday, at the crucial moments, everything wenton our side. I can’t envision any other candidates either.”

Tiger Woods, vice captain of the US team… “Knowing him, he’ll want to play, headfirst! Unfortunately, his physical condition is uncertain. He had surgery again and hasn’t touched a club lately. It would be good for golf that he came back into the mix of things, it would be good so that they talk more about this sport in the media. I would like to see Tiger compete with the new generations: McIIroy, Day, Spieth. They would play a big part in things, quite literally and very necessary. Tiger was everyone’s idol, kids and their parents, the ideal son for all mothers. Everything crashed and burned and he lost his invincibility. It was a difficult situation from which it was impossible to come out on top, we all know what the American morale is like. What impressed me most was his mental strength under pressure; his game was always very good and his approach and his extraordinary putt, but his mental strength… He was 1 up before starting.

Spanish golf… “Spanish golf goes through cycles. Winning three or four tournaments per season isn’t easy, the competition gets better and better every time and the level higher; there is little difference between golfers now. I’ve always said that we’ll have Sergio (García) for quite a few years, he proved it with the triumph in Vietnam. I hope Gonzalo (Fernández-Castaño) and Álvaro (Quirós) make a comeback; I see potential in the rest to win, for example, I watch Alejandro (Cañizares) and I think that with the game he’s got he should be able to win more often. We are not that far from doing well. And Jiménez is another story, unique and unrepeatable.

Youth and golf… “The Lacoste Promises Tour Final is very special for me, I have a very close relationship with the Basi (Lacoste distributors in Spain) and Bañó (owners of La Sella) families, who believed and trusted in me when I started, and I have a great time with the boys. Every year they play better, the average age goes down -this time there were two who were 13 years old and many who were 14- and the level of play and preparation is higher. They practice more and are much more professional, but that should be accompanied by discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance, all attributes of which must be combined in order to reach the top. Every competition at this level is good, it contributes to their development as persons while they evolve as golfers at the same time. I really enjoy watching them, I love how they play and the will they put into it, it makes me feel young again. We try to make sure that it is a relaxed atmosphere and that they feel comfortable; they ask us a lot of questions and they want to know whether or not they’re getting the movement and the technique right. We started 12 years ago in La Manga Club and we’ve seen them grow up. It was really exciting for me to see Azahara Muñoz again and to spend these days with Marta Silva and Juan Sarasti, the first Lacoste winners, it’s been great to see them now as professionals. I remember the edition that qualified Jon Rahm and now he is doing extraordinary things. We always have a good time together in a very family oriented atmosphere, and it’s much appreciated”.

His course designer side… “Now we’re working on a course in Qatar but the construction is going slower than we would like; the first nine holes and practice areas will soon be seeded. And it seems as though an old project that we started in Spain a few years ago is going to be launched again. I’m really pleased with the results of the last nine holes of La Sella: they are made to enjoy, vast, not overly difficult, the golfers have a great time and theyend the round pleased and satisfied. The first holes are more difficult, the trees have grown in and now they’re more narrow.

Stigmas golf in Spain… “The slanderers and the stigmas golf has don’t bother me, everyone has to pave their own path and time will put people in their places. It’s about making it more appealing for the kids; the future of golf is in working from the ground up, we have to make kids feel drawn to this sport. It’s fundamental. Golf is doing great things. Those of us who play have a special sensitivity toward those less fortunate and that’s what is perceived the least. At the end of the road, we’ll come out where we deserve.

A short review of his golf life… “Life has given me everything. I couldn’t ask for more. I look back and I see a boy who was having an incredible time hitting around a round ball for fun… How far I’ve come! I’m very fortunate. I have fulfilled many of the dreams I had, some that seemed out of reach have become reality. I have met a lot of people and I’ve had the luck to have been able to play among the best in this sport; I’ve learned from all of them, from the good ones and those who weren’t as good. They’ve all taught me many things that have made me better. I’ve also learned that, despite the hard work and effort, not everyone reaches the top; they deserve all my respect. It has been a long but entertaining trip, there has been a bit of everything: sharp peaks and profound depths in which I seemed to be at the lowest of lows. It has been a very exciting, emotional life”.