The Ryder Cup: How Seve won the psychological war

The captaincy of Seve Ballesteros, who has declared his intention to give up the job, was crucial to Europe's retention of the Ryder Cup. Andy Farrell asks who can be his successor?

After a week of sleepless nights and three days charging around Valderrama in his buggy, Seve Ballesteros got little rest on Sunday night either. The celebration for Europe's narrow victory over the Americans lasted well into the early hours, but Ballesteros was up early yesterday to confirm he wants to stand down as Ryder Cup captain.

Bernhard Langer is the man who he thinks should succeed him for the match at the Country Club in Brookline, Boston, in two years' time. "He is a very special man," said Ballesteros of the German, whose victory over Brad Faxon, his first in the singles for 12 years, gave meant Europe had retained the Cup.

But the German made it clear on Sunday night that he intends still to be playing in 1999, as will the other leading future contender, Nick Faldo. It is also the reason Ballesteros, whose experience confirms the impossibility of being a playing captain, is giving the job up. "There is no other reason," he said.

"I made the decision the couple of months ago whatever the result. I want to concentrate on my game and I want to win again. I think I can win before the end of the year and play in three more Ryder Cups." Somehow, he found time to practice during the week and plays in the German Masters on Thursday.

But while Sam Torrance and Mark James, one of Ballesteros' lieutenants last week, will enter the equation, there is no need to rush a decision. Ballesteros will not be the first to change his mind. Bernard Gallacher said never again after two defeats, but came back to win at Oak Hill two years ago. "We have had success at persuading a previous captain to continue," said Ken Schofield, executive director of the PGA European Tour.

"I'm not sure we will be this time," he added. "Seve's wishes will be respected." Schofield's endorsement of Ballesteros' captaincy was emphatic. "Each player would have felt an inch taller on the first tee on Friday," he said. "That is the respect for the man. He has been likened as the Arnold Palmer of Europe, but this week he was Palmer and Jack Nicklaus combined."

Ballesteros brought out both the best in his veterans and his youngsters. Though his public words and actions did not always suggest it, he was very much a players' captain, taking into account their views and opinions, but making the final decision.

And then there was his on-course role. "Seve was as much a father as a captain," Ignacio Garrido said. "Every time I thought: `What can I do here?' he'd appear out of nowhere and tell you what to do."

But he knew when to leave well alone, allowing Colin Montgomerie free latitude in playing the last hole of his match against Scott Hoch. A perfect three-wood and an equally impressive seven-iron approach from the Scot and the half-point needed to win the match was secured.

The psychological hold Ballesteros' team took on the match on the first two days was crucial. "Every time they had a 30-footer and I had a five- footer," said the winless Davis Love, "I already knew I would have to make it to tie and not to win. It kept happening."

For Ballesteros, retaining the Ryder Cup in Spain was his biggest challenge. "It was worth it to lead these 12 great champions," he said. "Spain should be very grateful that the Ryder Cup Committee brought the match to our country."

But as much as the jubilation shown by youngsters who will grace the match again, like Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn, the most moving moment came on Sunday night when Jose Maria Olazabal was asked for a few words. Ballesteros had been instrumental in persuading the his former partner to return to the tour earlier this year after his foot injuries. "I think he was a little afraid to come back out on tour," Ballesteros said.

But for Lee Janzen's superb last three holes, Olazabal could have ended Seve's dream perfectly. It did not matter it did not happen. "Well, it's pretty much the same as every year I've played the Ryder Cup," he said, "but this one was special for me" - the emotion caught in his voice - "a year ago I couldn't walk." Not a dry eye in the house.