Olly just glad to be back

Olazabal: Baby steps

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Jose Maria Olazabal makes his first tentative steps back to tournament golf when he tees up in the Madrid Masters this week.

The two-time Major winner is attempting yet another comeback to competitive action after missing most of the season with his long-term problems with rheumatism and the side effects from drugs he takes to combat the problem.

However, the 42-year-old is now off medication and, after assisting captain Nick Faldo at the Ryder Cup, is ready to pick up the clubs again.

But although Olazabal is glad to be back, the timing of his return is more to do with supporting the game in his home country rather than being at a point where he feels he can compete with the best.

"I don't have any great expectations," he admitted. "My first target is to see if I can make the cut.

"After such a long time without playing, it feels strange. But this is normal after so much time out of competition.

Getting better

"The last few months I have played every day, doing 18 holes one day and just hitting balls the next, to try to keep the feel of the club.

"I stopped taking the medication eight weeks ago and the positive news is that my condition has not worsened. It is getting better and that's good.

"I didn't think I would be back playing so soon, but it is very important to support the tournaments we have in Spain. We have great weather and courses and I am helping fly the flag for Spanish golf."

Countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez will also be in the line-up and the Ryder Cup player can move up to third in the Order of Merit with victory at the Club de Campo.

And although Jimenez does not have a great record at the course and, indeed, has not won in his homeland for 10 years, he fancies his chances of being on the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon.

"Let's see if I can get a third victory this season here," he said. "I'm playing well and this golf course suits me. The greens have improved - they are really good this year.

"Let's just see what happens."

Also taking part are former US Open champion Angel Cabrera and his 19-year-old son Federico, who steps up to the European Tour for the first time after several outings on the Challenge Tour.