Olazabal elected to World Golf Hall of Fame

Surrey, England (Sports Network) - Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Olazabal, Masters champ in 1994 and 1999, was elected on the International ballot and will be part of the 2009 Hall of Fame Class that also includes Lanny Wadkins and Christy O’Connor. Wadkins was elected through the PGA Tour ballot, while O’Connor was selected in the Veterans Category. “I am delighted with this news,” Olazabal said in a statement. “Only a small group of people are privileged to be in the World Golf Hall of Fame and I have a huge respect for all the players already there. “There are huge, huge players in the Hall of Fame, legends such as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and many, many other greats. I am just thrilled that I am going to be just a little part of this.” Olazabal will be the second Spaniard in the Hall, following in the footsteps of good friend Seve Ballesteros. The two were a potent team in Ryder Cup play for Europe, posting an 11-2-2 mark in their 15 matches together. “I am particularly happy to follow Seve’s footsteps into the Hall of Fame,” Olazabal added. “He opened so many doors for us and we owe him a huge debt.” In addition to his Masters titles, Olazabal has four other U.S. PGA Tour wins and 21 European Tour victories. He also won twice in Japan and was a member of seven European Ryder Cup teams. As an 18-year-old amateur, he bested Colin Montgomerie to win the 1984 British Amateur Championship. The 2009 World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida on Monday, November 2.

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