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Olly still cool on captaincy

Spaniard remains determined to play in 2010 match at Celtic Manor

Last updated: 8th January 2009

Olazabal with the Royal Tophy

I'm not thinking about the Ryder Cup captaincy at the moment - I'm more concerned about my health.

Jose Maria Olazabal
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Jose Maria Olazabal has again insisted he is not yet thinking about the Ryder Cup captaincy despite taking charge of Europe in this week's Royal Trophy.

The Spaniard will lead the European team in the absence of close friend and compatriot Seve Ballesteros who is recovering following brain surgery to remove a malignant tumour.

This year's event will be the third edition of the trophy with Europe having emerged triumphant in convincing style on both previous occasions.

Like Ballesteros - who had been scheduled to captain Europe before his recent illness - Olazabal has also been troubled by rheumatism which has sidelined him for much of the past couple of years.

The 42-year-old, who was Nick Faldo's vice-captain at the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, claims his principle aim at present is to regain full fitness and challenge for a playing spot for the 2010 match at Celtic Manor rather than the captain's job.

"I'm just concentrating on this week," he said ahead of the action at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok which gets underway on Friday. "I'm not thinking about the Ryder Cup captaincy at the moment - I'm more concerned about my health.

"I'm not 100 percent. I still have a few things going on but hopefully everything will be clear shortly and I'll be able to play competitive golf again soon."

However, Olazabal does believe he his experience and knowledge give him ideal captaincy credentials.

"The good thing about me being captain is that I'm old enough to have played with most of these guys," he added.

"I know the players quite well and we've known each other for many years."