Not one player present at Celtic Manor will have as much experience of professional team golf as the cigar-smoking 46-year-old from Malaga. This will be his fourth Ryder Cup appearance, to which he can add six Seve Trophy caps, plus 11 World Cup and ten Alfred Dunhill Cup starts. Not surprisingly 'The Mechanic', as he is fondly referred to on Tour, has the reputation for being relaxed and a "good team man". Indeed that was why Seve Ballesteros made him his vice-captain in 1997, before he had even played in the Ryder Cup. But the curious thing is that his record in the Cup is not that good. He represented Europe in 1999, 2004 and 2008, and in that time he has won two matches, halved three and lost seven. Lies, damn lies and statistics? Maybe, maybe not, but his popularity with all European golfers remains un-dented and you sense that behind the scenes he is a calm and positive influence.