José María Olazábal is a Spanish professional golfer who has won more than 33 international tournaments during his career.
He is one of the most successful golfers in history and was ranked as World No. 1 for 13 weeks in 1996.
Learn more about José María Olazábal’s net worth, salary, and earnings details.
José María Olazábal’s Biography
| Full Name | José María Olazábal Manterola |
| Born | 5 February 1966 |
| Birthplace | Fuenterrabía, Guipúzcoa, Spain |
| Nationality | Spain |
| Age | 57 |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st) |
| Current Tour |
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| Major Title |
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| Net Worth | $19 million |
| Highest Ranking | 2 (17 March 1991) |
| Relationship Status | – |
| Girl Friend | – |
José María Olazábal is a Spanish professional golfer who has won 20 events on the European Tour and 2 major championships: The Masters in 1994 & 1999 and the PGA Championship in 1996.
Another uncle, Juan Carlos O’Shea, who later became head pro at La Reserva de Sotogrande Golf Club, taught him how to play while sitting on his lap.
They walked around outside together each day after school ended before coming back inside, where they would practice pouring water into bottles until bedtime came around again.
Early Life
José Maria Olazábal was born on 5 February 1966 (age 57) in Fuentarrabia, Spain. He is the son of José Maria Olazábal and Miren Olazabarra.
His father was a businessman, while his mother was a housewife. The family lived in a middle-class neighborhood and grew up with two siblings: one brother and one sister.
Wife
No source knows whether his current marital status is single or married, not even his fellow tennis players during a casual reunion in 2012, when he came from his hotel, even when he was expected to dine with his lady- or male-listed partner.
José María Olazábal Net Worth Details
José María Olazábal’s net worth is estimated to be of $19 million as of 2025. He began his career as a caddie for Seve Ballesteros, his childhood friend.
In 1989, Olazábal won his first European Tour event at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, where he played against Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer.
Earnings
José María Olazábal’s earnings are $2,000,00.00 per year. The average salary of José María Olazábal is $216,490 annually.
Endorsement
The power of José María Olazábal’s endorsement lies in his reputation as a true gentleman and sportsman.
He also makes money from endorsements and commercials promoting products such as clothing brands or sports equipment companies, such as Adidas Golf and Titleist Golf Balls.
Career Stats
| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events |
| Masters Tournament | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 33 |
| PGA Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 21 |
| U.S. Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 18 |
| The Open Championship | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 21 |
| Totals | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 32 | 93 |
FAQs
1. Who is José María Olazábal?
José María Olazábal is a professional golfer from Hondarribia, Spain, born on February 5, 1966. He is a two-time Masters champion (1994, 1999) and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Known for his Ryder Cup success, he captained Europe to a historic comeback victory in 2012.
2. What are José María Olazábal’s major achievements in golf?
Olazábal won two Masters Tournaments (1994, 1999) and has 30 professional victories. He formed the most successful Ryder Cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros, winning 12 points together. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009 and received Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award in 2013.
3. How did José María Olazábal overcome his foot injury?
In the mid-1990s, Olazábal suffered from rheumatoid polyarthritis, which left him unable to walk. After treatment by Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt in 1996, he made a remarkable recovery, returning to professional golf in 1997 and winning the Turespana Masters that year.
4. What are José María Olazábal’s Ryder Cup contributions?
Olazábal played in seven Ryder Cups between 1987 and 2006, forming a legendary partnership with Seve Ballesteros. In 2012, as captain, he led Europe to an improbable comeback victory at Medinah, known as the “Miracle of Medinah,” dedicating it to Ballesteros.
5. What makes José María Olazábal’s Masters victories special?
Olazábal’s first Masters win in 1994 marked his maiden major title. His second victory in 1999 was a triumphant comeback after overcoming debilitating foot pain. Both wins solidified his legacy as one of Spain’s greatest golfers.
6. How did José María Olazábal start playing golf?
Olazábal grew up near Real Golf Club de San Sebastián, where his father was a greenskeeper and his mother worked. He began playing golf at age two with a shortened club and developed into an outstanding junior player before turning professional in 1985.
7. Why is José María Olazábal considered a Ryder Cup legend?
Olazábal’s Ryder Cup record includes four team victories and an unmatched partnership with Ballesteros that earned them the most points in Ryder Cup history. His leadership as captain during the “Miracle of Medinah” further cemented his legendary status.
8. What honors has José María Olazábal received?
Olazábal has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (2009) and awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports (2013). He also holds records like the lowest round in PGA Championship history (63) and multiple European Tour accolades.
9. What challenges did José María Olazábal face during his career?
Apart from his foot injury that sidelined him for over a year, Olazábal narrowly missed becoming World No. 1 after finishing second at the 1991 Masters. Despite these setbacks, he achieved extraordinary success in golf.
10. What is José María Olazábal’s legacy in golf?
Olazábal is celebrated for his resilience, sportsmanship, and significant contributions to European golf. His Masters wins, Ryder Cup heroics, and partnership with Seve Ballesteros have left an indelible mark on the sport globally.
