Final Shot with José María Olazábal

The two-time major champion, a former Hong Kong Open winner and Ryder Cup captain, talks about his love of Augusta National, Rioja and hunting

What is your all-time favourite Ryder Cup memory?

There are many more than one but I’d say two in particular. First would be Muirfield Village in 1987, when I played with Seve. The whole experience of that first Ryder Cup, not knowing what it was all about, playing with Seve, the crowds, the noise - that was very special, and we won then for the first time in America. The second would be the hug that Darren [Clarke] and I had on the 17th green at the K Club in 2006. That was after I had won my singles and of course he had been through so much that week [following the recent death of his wife].

Your worst Ryder Cup memory?

The saddest may be Brookline in 1999. We had a good advantage going into the singles but they managed to beat us. We didn’t play good enough on the last day. I’m saying this about the whole thing, not to do with what happened with me when Justin Leonard holed that long putt on the 17th green. It was very disappointing to lose.

What is the best shot you’ve ever hit?

Well, over 25 years I hope I have hit a few good ones, but obviously it is the context that matters. If I had to pick just one, I’d say it was the 6-iron I hit to three feet on the 16th hole on the last day of the Masters in 1999. Greg [Norman] and Davis Love were very close to me but that birdie gave me a crucial cushion to go on and win.

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