The game of golf just seems so silky smooth for World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and that’s in stark contrast for Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal whose hands ae a mess of blisters and cuts as he strives to end a seven year winless drought.
McIlroy’s won three of his last four events whereas Olazabal has tasted victory since winning the 2005 Majorca Classic on his own Pula designed course.
Olazabal birdied his last holes in a two under par 70 on day one of the BMW Italian Open in Turin.
Jose Maria Olazabal on the range last week in Holland. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm, again decked out in his Plus Fours, posted an eight under par 64 under a ‘preferred lie’ rule to lead by a stroke from England’s Lee Slattery on the Royal Park course.
Olazabal had spent a serious amount of time on the practice range last weekend in Holland after missing the cut in the KLM Open.
His appearance under a hot sun generated an enormous amount of interst amongst his colleagues and was reported on by www.golfbytourmiss.com (see earlier NEWS stories)
The effort at least resulted in him leading his team to victory in Wednesday’s Italian Open Pro-Am but that did not translate into his play on day one of the Euro 1.5mevent with Olazabal signing off for a round of 70.
Not surprisingly, Olazabal headed straight for the range but when stopped by twofans for a photograph, it allowed the chance of a few words with Europe’scaptain, and an inspection his hands.
Olazabal happily held out his hands to blisters, cuts and sores.
“If you know any other way to work on your game than spend time on the range, then letme know,” he said smiling.
“I want to compete and I am working hard at it trying to get some feel for what Ihave to do but it’s been hard.
“So as long as I can keep hitting balls that is what I want to do.”
He then resumed his walk to range but sounding a smiling warning on the efforts ofMcIlroy, who has won three of his last four events.
“I just hope that Rory is not too hot too early,” said Olazabal.
“I just hope also he can save a bunch of birdies for the end of the month.”
