Olazabal had the most remarkable rookie year in 1986, winning two tournaments (European Masters and Sanyo Open) and finishing second in the European Order of Merit - the highest ever finish by a rookie. As an 18-year-old he beat Colin Montgomerie 5&4 in the final of the 1984 British Amateur Championship at Formby. He produced one of the great performances of all time to win the 1990 World Series in Akron, Ohio, by 12 shots, the widest winning margin on the US Tour since 1975. He opened with a 61, to lead by four, before adding three successive 67s for a 72-hole total of 262.

Olazabal finally rid himself of that unwanted tag 'best player never to win a major', with victory at Augusta in 1994. The key moment in his two- stroke victory came at the par-5 15th where he holed a 30-foot eagle putt from the front of the green. Moments later playing partner and main challenger Tom Lehman missed his eagle attempt from 15 feet giving Ollie a two-stroke cushion. In his Ryder Cup debut at Muirfield Village, Ohio, in 1987, Olazabal won his first three matches when he was paired with close-friend and fellow-countryman Seve Ballesteros in two foursomes and one four-ball.

Olazabal takes a break during his Ryder Cup debut in 1987 at Muirfield Village.