Olazabal tees up after hitting rock bottom with arthritis

THERE IS still at least one celebrated golfer who is making his return this week following 18 months out through injury. At the British Masters being staged at the Grove, near Watford, Jose Maria Olazabal will play his first event for 18 months after a horrendous recurrence of his long-standing problems with arthritis. The Spaniard could barely walk last winter but is hopeful he is well enough to resume a limited schedule. ‘I hit rock bottom last December but it’s been improving slowly,’ said Olazabal, who turned 50 in February. ‘I’m excited to be playing again although I’ve been out for so long I might need to introduce myself on the driving range. My opening line might be, “Hello, I am Jose Maria, nice to meet you”.’ This is the second edition of the relaunched British Masters with former world No 1 Luke Donald taking over from Ian Poulter as host. The event has been somewhat unlucky with Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose pulling out through injury and no winning Ryder Cup team to welcome home, for once. But the wonderful crop of young English players who have been introducing themselves to sports fans with their victories over the last year or so are all competing, including 22-year-old defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick and the winner of the Masters in Augusta, Danny Willett. There’s Tyrrell Hatton, the latest Englishman to win on tour; the Beef (Andrew Johnston), fresh from gracing the front cover of American magazine Golf Digest; BMW PGA champion Chris Wood, and Andy Sullivan. The event is being supported by Sky Sports, who gave away 20,000 tickets for the first round, thus ensuring a cracking atmosphere from the start on Thursday. The fun begins this evening with a challenge match played under floodlights which will be live on Sky Sports 4 from 7.30pm.