Masters 2024: Jose Maria Olazabal shows he is still the old master at Augusta National as the Spaniard, 58, celebrates his qualification by producing another strong round
- Jose Maria Olazabal finished with 11 straight pars after making three bogeys
- The Spaniard, 58, was retained after Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas failed to make it
- Jon Rahm hailed his fellow Spaniard and said his performances were ‘incredible’
As the big Spaniard walked away on the 18th, a young boy held out his hand to catch a ball.
José María Olazabal was obliged to leave the delighted youngster, wearing his green Masters cap, another memory. The child’s father stretched out his fist to hit him. “He was champion twice,” he told her.
At 58 years old, these victories, in 1994 and 1999, might well seem distant. These days, just avoiding the cut represents success for a veteran who has played just two professional events since 2022.
While younger men, including 2015 winner Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland, have already boarded their private jets, Olazabal is staying here for the weekend, even if the margins are slim.
The strong winds that killed off the low scores on Friday ended up leaving the door ajar for those who were able to draw on their experience to find the answers.
Jose Maria Olazabal finished with 11 straight pars Saturday after making three bogeys
Avoiding the cut is an achievement for a veteran who has played in two professional events since 2022
Earlier in the day, when Olazabal had completed six, he spoke of “leaving the field with my head held high”. That would prove enough to keep him over the line.
After hitting three shots in the first seven holes Saturday morning, it may have seemed like a curse rather than a blessing. But Olazabal drove deep into the well and parried each of the next 11, playing with precision and grace.
There was more of the latter on display when he later spoke to reporters.
“I don’t think about players who miss the cut,” he said, not wanting to appear disrespectful when some of those who did exactly that were pointed out to him.
“I just know that to be here for the weekend is a fantastic achievement. Every year big names miss the cut, but for me it’s still an achievement.
Olazabal went deep into the hole and holed 11 straight holes, playing with precision and grace.
It’s up to his compatriot Jon Rahm, winner last year, to find the most powerful words.
“He loves this game,” he said of Olazabal after his own attempt to retain his title failed.
“Why else would he still be here, trying to compete and train there? At his age, it’s incredible. Like him, there are a lot of these great players who keep fighting when they really don’t need to just because they love it so much.
If the cheers on the greens and fairways of Augusta are anything to go by, that love goes both ways.
