Olazabal is bemused by reports saying he wants to be skipper

Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo are the leading contenders for the role in Ireland in 2006, but Olazabal is also on the "suitable candidate" list.

However, the Spaniard said: "I don't know where that story came from. I've never said anything about it.

"Paul McGinley approached me last week and asked me about it. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about."

McGinley is a member of the players' committee which meets in Dubai next week to decide who succeeds Bernhard Langer as skipper for next year's match with the Americans at the K Club, near Dublin.