Olazabal pays Seve tribute

Olazabal, who will make a decision on Tuesday as to whether he has made enough of a recovery from a knee injury to play in the Open at Carnoustie, added he had no idea the announcement was coming.

"It a very special day," said Olazabal. "What Seve means for golf, in Europe mainly, nobody from a later generation will understand. He has been a real inspiration for me, the best friend I've had in my career. He was really the master."

Olazabal, who with Ballesteros won 11, halved two and lost only two games against the Americans, recalled the start of his partnership with Ballesteros.

"People can say as many things as they want to you before your first game, but they can't prepare you for what it's actually like. On the first tee I was shaking like a leaf like never before," he said.

"I didn't really expect it to be that bad. You believe you are going to calm yourself like you have for other important rounds you've played in the past. But a first Ryder Cup is really very special.

"Seve had a will to win and determination that I don't think has ever been matched. There were times you just had to wonder what he was made of. He took all the pressure off me, telling me not to worry if I hit into the rough or the trees or whatever."

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said: "What a privilege it has been to witness the phenomenal career of Seve Ballesteros.

"He is quite probably the most iconic golfer of our era and without question he inspired millions to play the game."

Five-time Open champion Peter Thomson added: "He was one of the two greatest natural golfers I ever saw, the other one was Sam Snead, and I give him the praise that he was the most gifted young golfer that I'd come across. His exploits bore that out."