José María Olazábal was planning to play last week in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, the first of three consecutive tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions where the champion from Fuenterrabia wanted to continue the excellent sensations that his golf offered at the past Masters. However, he has not been able to do so. He finished in Augusta with some discomfort in his back and now the injury has been confirmed.
Olazábal suffers from a muscle fibre tear and has been forced to stop indefinitely. The week after the Masters he could not touch a club, he underwent an ultrasound and the doctors confirmed the diagnosis. A real nuisance. The double champion in Augusta acknowledged on Sunday at the end of the first Major of the year that he had not felt so good with his golf for more than five years. He was very eager, therefore, to continue playing, and thus be able to confirm these good sensations.
So, there is no other choice but to be patient. The 58-year-old golfer, the second oldest to make the cut at the Masters three weeks ago, knows this. Nobody has to explain to Chema the attitude to have when physical problems come. Nothing can be done, except to be disciplined with the treatment and not be in a hurry to return. When the time comes, it will come.
Muscle fibre tears are very treacherous and he will have to go practically day by day. Then, once recovered, it is time to regain confidence and feel comfortable again. For now, he will also not be present this week at the Insperity Invitational, where coincidentally, Bernhard Langer is returning, much earlier than expected, after being out of action due to an Achilles tendon fracture since February.
Next week the first Major of the year on the Champions calendar, the Regions Tradition, is taking place. Olazábal also planned to play it, but right now it seems impossible that he can make it in time. A good goal could be to be ready to play the Senior PGA Championship, the second senior Major, from 23 to 26 May, although as has already been said, he will take it day by day, without rushing and when he is truly recovered.
