It’s five weeks to the first tee shot in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah and European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal retold a remarkable tale involving his late and dear friend, Seve Ballesteros.

And the tale Olazabal told took place here at Kiawah Island 21 years ago in what has since become known as the ‘War on the Shore’.

It was the third straight Ryder Cup Seve and Olazabal were team members.

Here in Olazabal’s words his account of an incident during the very first match in the day one Foursomes against Paul Azinger and Chip Beck:-

Jose Maria Olazabal enjoys reliving memories of playing with Seve Ballesteros. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“I remember from The Ryder Cup that we played here in ’91 with Seve, I would go to one of the first matches that we played, the way we started,” said Olazabal.

“We were hitting the ball all over the place.  We ended up winning the match 2 & 1, and, you know, certain moments.

“For instance, I remember the second hole, the par 5.  Seve snap‑hooked the tee shot way left into the water and I have to drop it on the ladies tee, that’s how bad he hit the tee shot.  (Laughter.)

“I hit it onto the fairway.

“Obviously the U.S. Team was, like always, right in the middle of the fairway.  They hit the second shot short of the green in two;

“Seve hit a 4‑iron and blocked it right into the trees, left me against the tree, and I have to chip it out.

“And obviously we are lying five and the U.S. Team is like two, and I look at Seve, and I said, what the hell are we doing here, let’s pick the ball up and go to the third hole.  And in those days, the green had water front and water on the back.

“Seve said, “Just hold on a second.  If we chip‑and‑putt, we make 7.”

“Yes, correct, Seve.  That’s true.

“Well, if they miss the chip and hit it in the water and drop it and chip it on to the green and make two putts, what do they do?  Seven.  So we still have a chance.  Let’s go.”    (Laughter.)

And Olazabal also added anothe Seve story after being quizzed what did he learn from Seve that he will take to Medinah.

“Well, it’s very difficult to compare to Seve in any way,” said Olazabal.

USA Ryder Cup captain, Davis Love 111 enjoying listening to Jose Maria Olazabal relive stories about Seve Balleseteros. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“He was really all over the place.  I don’t know how he managed to be in so many places at the same time to be honest.  He was very close to the players, at even some times he was a little too close to the players, trying to hit the shots; I’m not going to go that far, but he had pretty much all the options.

“I remember him making a phone call at 3:00 in the morning to Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who was vice captain, and said to him, yes, come to my room because I’ve had a few ideas for pairings tomorrow and I need to discuss that with you.

“I’m not going to be waking up at 3:00 and calling any of my vice captains to check on pairings for the next day (laughing).”