Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal says he is unlikely to play for Europe in September's Ryder Cup.

The Spaniard, 42, who is Nick Faldo's vice-captain for the Kentucky event, returns to competitive action at the Andalucia Open on Thursday.

Persistent problems with rheumatism cut short his 2007 season.

"Unless I recover right away and my game hits standards I haven't reached before, as far as playing is concerned, I'm out of the picture," Olazabal said.


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It has been the seven-time Ryder Cup player's second long spell out of the game after suffering arthritis in his foot in 1995-96.

His most recent problem affects his knee, shoulder, groin and lower-back, hindering him walking and bending.

He asked for an invitation to this week's event, which is co-promoted and organised by compatriots Miguel Angel Jimenez and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

"I'm going to take it on a weekly basis, test myself and see if I can cope with competition again," said Olazabal.

"If my body holds up then I will reassess my situation. I do not know whether I will be able to play a schedule in America, but if I feel the pain is bearable then I'm looking at playing the Houston Open and the Masters."

Olazabal, who won the Masters in 1994 and 1999, admitted he thought his career could have been over when he was in so much pain towards the end of last year, but has ruled out retirement.

"I have missed competition. I've missed putting myself to the test and it has not crossed my mind to retire," he added.

"Did I think I couldn't play again? All last September, October, November, December. It was a similar scenario to my first problems in that respect. When you have total lack of mobility you hit bottom, for sure."