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Olazabal, who played for Europe from 1987-2006,
was also vice-captain in 2008, 2010 and 2014 and joins Belgian
Nicolas Colsaerts, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Italian Edoardo
Molinari, who were announced as vice-captains earlier.
"I am obviously thrilled to be back involved once again. I am
really looking forward to feeling that special adrenaline flow,
the intensity and the electricity that only the Ryder Cup can
bring..." the 57-year-old Spaniard said in a statement.
"My role will be the same as the rest of the vice-captains,
namely to support and help Luke and the 12 players in any way we
can, so they can perform at their best and be able to win that
trophy back."
Twice Masters champion Olazabal captained Europe to Ryder Cup
glory at Medinah in 2012, where he appointed Bjorn as one of his
vice-captains while Colsaerts was the captain's pick.
"He was my captain when I last played in the Ryder Cup – at
Medinah in 2012 – and I thoroughly enjoyed playing for him that
year. He picked me to play number one in the singles and that
was hugely gratifying," Donald said.
"To know he had that respect and confidence in me to go out and
lead Europe in such a pressurized last-day environment meant a
lot, and this feels, perhaps, that I am returning that favor a
little bit, as I have a huge amount of confidence in him...
"People notice when Jose Maria walks into a room and you could
see at the Hero Cup how much everyone respected him and admired
him for all he's done in the game. I could not be more excited
to have him on my team."
The United States won the last Ryder Cup in Wisconsin last year.
Europe have not lost a Ryder Cup on home soil since a 15-13
defeat at The Belfry in 1993.
The Ryder Cup will be held from Sep. 26–Oct. 1.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by
Christian Radnedge)
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