Olazabal is relishing his Sunday battle with Tiger

After getting into the field only as an alternate, Jose Maria Olazabal had no expectations this week. But after a third-round 68 pushed him into second, the two-time Masters champ will tee off with Tiger for all the marbles on Sunday.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (PA) -- Jose Maria Olazabal is relishing his final-day battle with Tiger Woods in the Open Championship at St. Andrews.

Olazabal carded a third-round 68 -- the highlight of which was a 40-foot eagle putt on the 12th -- for a 10-under total of 206.

That means the two-time Masters champion will partner with Woods in the final group Sunday afternoon after Woods struggled to a 1-under 71 to finish at 12-under.

"I was very relaxed the first two days playing alongside Tiger and Robert Allenby," said Olazabal, who could become the first European to win a major since Paul Lawrie's Open victory at Carnoustie in 1999. "I've always said I have no problem playing with Tiger.

"It might be harder if we were playing in the States because the crowds are louder and once Tiger has played everybody moves," he added. "But that's not the case here, and that's why I think Open crowds are the best."

Olazabal was initially only the first alternate for the Open. But he secured his place in the field when former his countryman and Ryder Cup partner Seve Ballesteros was forced to pull out with an injury, and he admitted that partly explained his relaxed attitude around the Old Course this week.

"I failed to qualify at Sunningdale and thought my only chance was to be the leading player not already exempt at the Scottish Open. I thought the chances were very slim," he said. "It's an honor to be here at St. Andrews because I have a lot of respect for the golf course and all that it means. and just being part of it this year is wonderful.

"I'm not sure I'm going to be as relaxed if I'm leading the event teeing off the 17th tomorrow, that's for sure. But I'll try to have as much fun as possible," he said. "There's always pressure, but if you can manage to enjoy what you are doing that's a great step forward."

After the 1995 Open at St. Andrews, Olazabal was forced out of the game for almost two years by a misdiagnosed injury that left him unable to get out of bed. But he returned to win his second Masters title in 1999.

"I've always said those two years were the toughest of my life. I was watching golf on TV thinking I might never play again," he said. "I truly believe I'm a privileged person and a fortunate one."

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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