Olazabal resigned to victory or nothing

Jose Maria Olazabal is convinced he will not be part of Europe's Ryder Cup team next month unless he or Sergio Garcia can win the BMW International on Sunday.

Words of hope from the team captain, Sam Torrance, have failed to change Olazabal's mind. Olazabal, one of Europe's most successful cup players, is convinced he will miss out unless he takes the title – or if Garcia wins and his wild card becomes available. "I think Jesper [Parnevik] will be chosen ahead of me. I know the only way I can play myself in is to win – and that's quite difficult to achieve," said the 35-year-old.

Olazabal wants to make it known, however, that nothing would please him more. The feeling has been growing that he has cooled towards the cup since Boston two years ago. He criticised the Americans after they began celebrating when he could still have kept the tie alive.

"Every time I have played in the match I have put my heart and soul into it. I don't have to prove that to anybody," he said. "And it would be the same if I am at The Belfry next month. Anybody who doubts that doesn't have a bloody clue."

Olazabal does not consider his chances enhanced by the course this week. The winning score the last two years has been 20 under par. "I would prefer a really tough course," commented Olazabal. "You have to put your ball in position, but whoever wins is going to have to putt great. In a way it's a putting contest."