Golf-Reaction to Jose Maria Olazabal becoming Ryder Cup captain

Reaction to Tuesday's appointment of Jose Maria Olazabal as Europe's captain for the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, near Chicago:

"Today is a happy day for me. A wonderful announcement for European golf and one of the best news to start 2011," Olazabal's former Ryder Cup partner Seve Ballesteros told his website (www.seveballesteros.com).

"It will be very difficult for me to be in the United States in 2012 and witness the captaincy of my dear friend but I hope to watch it on TV," added Ballesteros, referring to his ongoing battle with his health after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008.

"Speaking to players on tour and speaking to committee members, it was probably the easiest decision I've ever had to make over a Ryder Cup captain," Tournament Players Committee chairman Thomas Bjorn told reporters.

"We didn't feel we needed to sit in a committee meeting and discuss this because it was the one man that everybody on this tour wanted to be captain."

"(Jose) made as good a speech as I've heard from a Ryder Cup captain or vice-captain," Ian Poulter told reporters, referring to the Saturday night of the 2008 match in Valhalla when Olazabal was skipper Nick Faldo's deputy.

"He's got more passion than anyone else for the Ryder Cup. He will just do an incredible job."

"Knowing he will be the captain gives me a bit of extra motivation to be in the team," U.S. PGA champion Martin Kaymer told the tour's official website (www.europeantour.com)

"He and Seve were the guys who inspired me for the Ryder Cup. I think if we could choose we would like Seve and Ollie every two years as captains."

"He's going to be a great talisman for the team. I will be desperate to be part of that team room because I know he will inspire and he will motivate," U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell told the European Tour website.

"I think he is going to be a great captain. He's just a legend regarding his playing capabilities and the kind of person he is. He's loved all over the world and is a twice U.S. Masters champion."