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Colin Montgomerie, who captained Europe to a dramatic victory in the 2010 Ryder Cup, confirmed he won’t captain the team again and recommended the job go to Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal. Olazabal, who served as a vice-captain for Monty and in 2008, said he’d love the job, but only if he’s healthy. Olazabal suffers from acute rheumatism and has played only one event this year.

“There is just one issue and that is my health,” said the 34-year-old Spaniard. “I would love to do it, but you have to fulfill certain things. For instance, I think you need to be close to the players and play with them during the qualifying process, compete with them if possible, and that’s why it is the only question mark, but time will tell.”

Montgomerie, who said he hoped Olazabal will be healthy enough to succeed him, can certainly relate to the grueling toll of being captain. Monty on his rough week: “I will not be doing this again,” said the 37-year-old Scot. “I felt out of control all week as a captain. It is very difficult to play every shot over the radio. I played every shot in every match, that’s why this is a one-time hit.”

Padraig Harrington thinks European golfers would love to play for Olazabal. “I think Olly would be all the players’ choice,” said Harrington, who won two of his four 2010 Ryder Cup matches. “Olly has had a great Ryder Cup career, he brings a lot of passion to the game and he looks like he’d make a great captain but it’s a tough job.”

Bernard Gallagher, who captained Europe at the 1991, 1993 and 1995 Ryder Cup, also thinks Olazabal will make a great captain. “I think you need to take a big personality over there, somebody who has won two Masters, somebody who the Americans know,” said the last European captain to return to the job. “That all helps to give our team status. He’s got a great Ryder Cup record and he is getting to an age when he might not be playing much more. It would be almost a thank you from the tour.”