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Golf

Injured Olazabal 'unlikely to play in Ryder Cup'

26/03/2008

Europe's Ryder Cup team has taken a blow after Jose Maria Olazabal said he is unlikely to play in the tournament in Kentucky this September.

The 42-year-old is vice-captain for the tournament but has ruled himself out of contention unless he recovers as soon as possible.

Olazabal has had problems with rheumatism and is making a return to action in the Andalucia Open tomorrow.

"Unless I recover right away and my game hits standards I haven't reached before, as far as playing is concerned, I'm out of the picture," the two-time Masters Champion explained.

The Spaniard has been suffering from knee, shoulder, groin and lower back problems that have made it difficult for him to walk or bend.

Although his chances of making the Ryder Cup look slim, Olazabal said he would take it on a "weekly basis" to see if he "can cope with competition again".

"If my body holds up then I will reassess my situation," he told the gathered press.

"I do not know whether I will be able to play a schedule in America, but if I feel the pain is bearable then I'm looking at playing the Houston Open and the Masters."

He did admit that he had missed playing in tournaments during his latest spell on the sidelines but said that he was not contemplating his long-term future in the game.

"I have missed competition. I've missed putting myself to the test and it has not crossed my mind to retire," he added.