Olazabal fit to lead Ryder Cup defence

Olazabal has been battling rheumatic pains for well over a decade (GETTY IMAGES)

Jose Maria Olazabal is expected to be named as Europe's Ryder Cup captain in Abu Dhabi on 18 January.

The Spaniard has been battling rheumatic pains for well over a decade and played in only one tournament in the first nine months of this year, but he has reportedly accepted the Ryder Cup tournament committee's offer to succeed the Scot Colin Montgomerie when Europe defend the trophy in Chicago in two years' time.