Ryder Cup 2012: Jose Maria Olazabal's nerve-shredding a warning to successor "It was hell, it was torture," said Olazábal. As captain, it's all on you but can't do anything about it, you don't hit the shots, you don't have any control on the outcome. One minute you're thinking "that's it, it's over" and the next minute it's "hang about we still have a chance." It's hell. Olazábal is anything but stupid and appreciates the criticism he would have received if America had won. He also recognises the absurd fickleness of the role. A few putts drop and he goes from "Captain Calamity" to "Captain Fantastic," the best who ever lived. He told the same to his counterpart, Davis Love, who is predictably coming under fire in his homeland. If Sunday proved anything, other the event's insatiable appetite for drama, is that the Ryder Cup's alchemic format produces moments on which the entire contest will hinge. One instant remains large in Olazábal's reflections. "The moment when it hit me, which I will always remember, occurred on the 12th tee," he said. I was there waiting for Lee [Westwood] when I looked up at the leaderboard and saw the first five matches were all blue. "I started doing the maths and, bang, I was like, "this might actually happen." Lee (Westwood) then came on the tee and he asked me how I was doing. I had to walk away. It was too much. Eventually it was Martin Kaymer who won the critical point. Any classic Ryder Cup requires an unlikely hero and despite his standing as a former world No 1, the German played the role perfectly when overcoming a six-month slump to beat Steve Stricker with a six-footer on the 18th. The symmetry with another German missing a similar putt for the same prize 21 years ago was impossible to escape. Particularly as Bernhard Langer had kicked Kaymer into shape the day previous. "I texted Bernhard on Friday night and asked him if we could sit down on Saturday, because I was not as inspired as I thought I should be," said Kaymer. He told me not to hide away from the team because I was playing poorly. He said it was important to build relationships with the other players, because then I would play golf, knowing they depended on me. He inspired me. But I must be honest I was even more inspired by Ian Poulter. He should be set in the Ryder Cup forever. Westwood picked up on this theme, talking about "the new Poulter clause." "We've have actually revised the qualification for next time," said the Englishman. It's nine automatic spots, two captain's picks - and Poults. Poulter's contribution could not and should not be underestimated. McGinley believes Europe owe it all to the player ranked 28th in the world. "Let's face it we got absolutely blitzed for the first two days," said McGinley on Monday. Not one of our players on form and that we were still in touching distance going into the singles was all down to Poulter. Those five finishing birdies he made on Saturday night to bring it back to 10-6 was a huge momentum switch. Four points sounds like a huge amount but when you put it in the context of 12 matches, they've got to control five matches in order to win. We've got to win just over half of the matches and then it's down to the last one. Added McGinley: "Poulter's built this image of himself, of what he is, and he plays to it. He's like an actor getting into character - he puts on a costume and turns into this guy. And this guy he creates is awesome in Ryder Cups. He never misses putts and does it when it counts. He's extraordinary. An extraordinary character in an extraordinary event. It drives sane, stout fellows such as McGinley to delve deep into fantasy. "There were just two of us left in the locker room before we went out in the singles - me and Ollie," said McGinley. I said. Ollie, if Seve is in heaven and he's trying to write a script, sitting with the best Hollywood scriptwriter, and he was asked what way do you want Ollie to win a Ryder Cup, it would be that for two days you get battered and then you get a character like Poulter who keeps you just within touching distance. Then you come on strong and win in the last match. That's what he'd write and maybe that's what our script is today. McGinley is favourite to get the vote, which takes place in Dubai next January. Not only does he have all the attributes to be a great leader but he is blessed with the knowledge that in the Ryder Cup there is no such thing as a great leader. The thing I've learned about captaincy is nothing is definitive. There's no one right way and no one wrong way. You do what's logical but logic might not work. The first morning we were very logical, didn't work. But then all the stars lined up for us and our dreams came true, said Olazábal. I see people are saying Davis got it all wrong with his singles line-up. Why did he try to match power with power at the top, why not match them against our weaker players? Now, if that strategy had gone wrong, he'd have been pilloried for conceding momentum. That's what makes captaincy so difficult. But I like it. It's intriguing. And it's hell and it's torture. Olazábal would confirm it's the implausible job. Three front-runners for Gleneagles Paul McGinley (Ireland) Three times a player, the hero of the Belfry in 2002 has twice been an assistant. Has captained Great Britain & Ireland to two Seve Trophy wins and is the obvious choice. Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland) The 2011 Open champion will captain Europe, but probably in Minneapolis in 2016. Hugely popular figure who has twice been an assistant. Five appearances as a player. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) How much would Scotland love a Scottish captain at Gleneagles. Has two Ryder Cups as well as a major to his name and is an intelligent man. Has targeted playing there, however.