Olazabal no to future captaincy

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has confirmed that he will not be standing for the role again in the future.

The Spaniard masterminded an incredible comeback at Medinah over the weekend, as the Europeans fought back from 10-4 down at one point on Saturday afternoon to claim a memorable one-point victory.

However, Olazabal admitted that he found the event draining and would not be tempted to lead the side again, particularly in light of the many other candidates for the post.

Asked at a homecoming press conference at Heathrow Airport if he would like the role again, Olazabal said: "Yes, in a way, but I can assure you that's a no, period.

"(Being captain) is difficult, in a way it's torture.

"It's really tough on your nerves, but that's the beauty of the Ryder Cup. It's a huge adrenaline flow and that's what we live for to be honest - the pressure, the tension the adrenaline flow makes us feel alive.

"It's a lot of work and there are a lot of players who should have the opportunity to be in my spot. The Ryder Cup is only every two years, so clearly I won't do it again.

"It was a tough and emotional week but the result was worth it and I am still running on adrenaline."

Olazabal was fulsome in his praise of his team, who matched the feat of the USA in 1999 by winning the match despite being 10-6 down going into the singles on Sunday.

"What they did was extraordinary," he said. "Most of the world didn't believe we would have the trophy but the 12 men didn't stop believing and all credit to them."

Asked about potential captains for the future, Olazabal said: "There are a lot. Thomas (Bjorn) and Paul (McGinley) deserve it.

"After that, there would be Lee (Westwood) and Padraig (Harrington)."

The European team came from 10-4 down at one point, and 10-6 down going into the singles matches, to clinch a remarkable win at Medinah by 14 1/2 points to 13 1/2.

The Spaniard added: "I don't know if it's (the comeback) a miracle, but it's something extraordinary to be honest.

"We haven't seen that before.

"What the players achieved that day was just amazing. It's up to you to decide if it's the greatest moment or the greatest comeback in history but they (the players) deserve all the credit."

Olazabal added: "We have this wonderful trophy here with us because of the huge achievement of those 12 men. They didn't stop believing and the performance they showed on Sunday was just incredible."

The captain has been inundated by messages of congratulation from the likes of Rafael Nadal and also the King of Spain.

"He was, like me, pretty much over the moon," said Olazabal. "That was a nice one."

Olazabal revealed there was one moment on Sunday when he could sense victory was within reach.

"Saturday afternoon was crucial, those last two matches were crucial for the outcome of the cup," he said.

"But it's true on Sunday there was a moment which was quite special. I was standing on the 12th tee waiting for Lee to come on to the tee and I looked at the board and at that point all five matches had already been won by Europe."

He added: "Lee came on to the tee and asked how we were doing. I had done my maths and knew we still had a chance of winning it and I had to walk away, I was very emotional at that point."

The Spaniard was even able to take Rory McIlroy's poor time-keeping in his stride.

Thinking that his match with Keegan Bradley started at 12.25pm instead of 11.25am, McIlroy was still at the team hotel when he got a panicked phone call telling him he had 25 minutes to get to the first tee.

The world number one had read the tee times on his phone in Eastern time, while Medinah operates on Central time, and he was given an escort to the course by a state trooper.

Olazabal added: "Luckily enough a police car was there and he made it on time. It was no surprise at all he managed to win his point."