Seve Ballesteros believes European golf is in very good hands after José Maria Olazábal was named Ryder Cup Captain.
Olazábal described his appointment as "my proudest moment - a great day for me”, and the man who has inspired him his entire career spoke in glowing terms about his former partner.
Ballesteros was the first person the 44 year old rang after being asked to take over from Colin Montgomerie for the match in Chicago in September 2012.
"Today is a happy day for me," said Ballesteros, who is still undergoing treatment for brain cancer after the discovery of a tumour more than two years ago.
"It’s a wonderful announcement for European golf and one of the best pieces of news to start 2011.
"It goes without saying that José Maria's election is the right one because we will have a great leader heading a fantastic group of players.
"I suppose that it will be very difficult for me to be in the United States and witness the captaincy of my dear friend, but I hope to watch it on TV and see his success.
"José Maria, I wish you the best of luck. Same as in the old times, you will have my support. You know better than anyone else what has to be done."
Olazábal's debut in 1987 came alongside Ballesteros and together they won 11 and lost only two of 15 games together.
"Seve was the biggest inspiration for me without a doubt," he said.
"I didn't know what The Ryder Cup was all about before going to Muirfield Village. He took me under his wing - I saw the way he fought until the end and his passion for winning.
"It's something I've carried on, or at least I've tried to keep with me.
"I would love him to be able to travel to Chicago and stand alongside me, but being realistic I think those chances are very slim.
"We've already chatted for a few minutes about The Ryder Cup and some of the decisions he took when he was Captain for 1997 at Valderrama.
"We joked a little bit too - it was very special to share those moments with him.
"He was always positive. It didn't matter if we were in the middle of trouble or well behind, he always thought we could hit a certain shot and turn things round.
"He kept doing that day after day, year after year. He was amazing.
"And as Captain he thought about everything. Every morning he woke up at 3 o'clock with a great idea and called (vice-captain) Miguel Angel Jiménez."
