Olazabal to be Europe's Ryder Cup captain

Jose Maria Olazabal has been confirmed as Europe's new Ryder Cup captain.

Olazabal has been favourite for the job - indeed the only real candidate - since Colin Montgomerie confirmed he was stepping down immediately after the dramatic one-point victory at Celtic Manor in October.

The 44-year-old Spaniard, a vice-captain for the last two matches, competed only three times last year because of a continuing battle with rheumatism, but starting with this week's Abu Dhabi Championship hopes to play considerably more events this season and right through to the defence of the trophy in Chicago in September next year.

Olazabal becomes just the third continental European to lead the side.

Seve Ballesteros, with whom he formed a stunning partnership that saw them lose only two of 15 games, was captain on home soil for the win at Valderrama in 1997.

Bernhard Langer then took over from Sam Torrance for the 2004 match in Detroit - and led Europe to a record nine-point victory.

Corey Pavin's successor as American captain will be unveiled on Thursday. It is firmly expected to be Davis Love III, one of his backroom team in Wales.