Olazabal voted to World Golf Hall of Fame

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., May 20 (UPI) -- Jose Maria Olazabal, who has two Masters titles among his 29 professional championships, has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Olazabal was voted in via the international ballot and will join Lanny Wadkins and Christy O'Connor in the 2009 induction ceremonies Nov. 2 in St. Augustine, Fla., Hall of fame officials announced Wednesday.

"There are huge, huge players in the Hall of Fame, legends such as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and many, many other greats," Olazabal said in a Hall of Fame release. "I am just thrilled that I am going to be just a little part of this."

Olazabal won the 1994 and 1999 Masters Tournaments, plus 21 European Tour and four additional PGA Tour titles. He also won in Japan twice.

He is the second Spanish player, after Seve Ballesteros, to win hall induction.

"They are all great players who have achieved so much and to have a little square plaque there with my name on it makes me feel very special. I am particularly happy to follow Seve's footsteps into the Hall of Fame. He opened so many doors for us and we owe him a huge debt," Olazabal said.