Topsy-turvy Olazabal hopes for happy ending
After one of the most eventful rounds he has ever played, Jose Maria Olazabal has a golden opportunity today to re-ignite his US Tour career.
Three days before he begins his attempt to win a third Masters title, Olazabal is still at the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta – and only a shot off the lead with a round to play.
The 39-year-old was in danger of missing the cut when he went to the turn in yesterday’s delayed second round in 40.
That included a two-stroke penalty. As a bunker shot on the par-three eighth fell back into the trap Olazabal hit the sand with his club in what he said was a “reflex” reaction, but almost certainly was done in anger.
It was a day of two halves, however. The former Ryder Cup star covered the back nine in a dazzling 29, chipping in for eagle at the 13th and sinking five birdie putts.
In a tournament now reduced to 54 holes, Scott McCarron is out in front at six under, while Olazabal shares second spot with Phil Mickelson and Billy Mayfair.
Last season the Spaniard lost his tour card in the States by finishing 142nd on the money list and so wrote a host of letters to sponsors hoping they would invite him to take part.
Atlanta did and Olazabal said last night: “The Masters may be coming up, but it’s my card that is most important right now.
“If I can earn enough to get it back I’ll be able to plan my schedule rather than having to wait to find out where I can play.
“And if I can win I’ll have the card for another two years. That would be great – I’d love it.”
If he loses by one or two strokes, however, Olazabal will not be able to escape the fact that his bunker blunder was hugely costly.
“The ball pitched outside the bunker and then came back in. By then I had already hit the sand with my club, so it was a two-stroke penalty,” he claimed.
Asked if he had done it in frustration at not getting the ball onto the green, he replied: “Let’s put it this way, the club fell from my hands. It was more reflex than anything else.”
