Fellow Masters champions Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods along with the four-time Major winning pair of Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy have led the 50th birthday wishes for Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.

Olazabal was born in Fuenterrabia on 5th February, 1966.

He turned pro over a +4 handicap in 1985 but then capped his career winning the Masters in 1994 and then again in 1999.

In fact, he’s won 23 European Tour titles starting in 1986 with victory in the Ebel European Masters and with his last being in the 2005 Majorca Classic.   And he’s won seven other times around the world including three wins in Japan and three PGA Tour titles.

However he is also remembered in taking a star role in the now infamous ‘Miracle at Medinah’ and Europe’s stunning come-from-behind triumph in the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Nicklaus said:  “Is that all your are, 50?   As long as you have been around the game of golf, you are only 50 years old.  Man, you have a lot of years ahead of you.   You and I have been good friends for a long time and you have played a lot of good golf for a long time.  I have respected you and I’ve loved watching you.  I have loved our conversations.  Many more my friend, you a good man.”

Woods remarked:  “Ollie, happy 50th.  I have known you for a very long time. I don’t think I have ever run across a person that I have met that is as competitive but also as gracious as you have.   So thank you again for being such a great friend and happy 50th”.

Els said:  “Ole, Ole, Ole (laughing). Jose, 50 my brother.  It’s flying now but congratulations my friend.  You have been a great ambassador for the Tour and golf worldwide.  We miss you and wish you were here.  I see you are building a nice golf course there in Qatar and doing a lot of great things still, my friend.   50 years young.  I will see you soon.”

So many, many happy returns ‘Gemma’ from your many friends in the media on turning 50.