Seve Ballesteros Sota, died at his home in Pedreña, northern Spain, in the early hours of this morning when he finally lost his courageous battle at 2.10am. He was only 54..
He was the inspiration behind The European Tour, along with Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods he was the most exciting golfer I have ever seen.
Seve's family confirmed the sad news this morning in a statement at www.seveballesteros.com which read: "At 02:10 hours [Spanish time], Seve Ballesteros, accompanied by his family at his home in Pedrena ,died due to respiratory failure.
"The family appreciates all the expressions of support and affection they have received since Seve was admitted on October 5, 2008 at the Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid.At the same time, please respect our privacy at such a painful time. Thank you very much."
All the players are wearing black armbands during today’s third round of the Open de España in Barcelona and there will be a minute’s silence at 2.45 and the flags are at half-mast.
He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport and subsequently had four operations to remove the tumour as well as undergoing chemotherapy.
He won 87 titles over his career, won The Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in 1980, then again in 1983.
He also was the key figure in the resurgence of the Ryder Cup where he had a sensational career as both player and captain. He played in eight and won 20 points from 37 matches and 4 cups before guiding Europe to victory over the United States at Valderrama in 1997.
In 1976 I went down to Royal Birkdale and watched him live for the first time. He was only 19 and he was magnificent, over 6 feet tall, a mane of thick black hair framing that intense face with the beautiful smile. He led for 3 days and eventually finished T2 with Jack to Johnny Miller and we all knew then that he was special, especially when he finished up with typical Seve flourish, birdie,birdie,eagle,birdie !!
By the way his Dad, Baldomero was a farmer and fisherman and a caddy and his 3 brothers all played golf. Seve was born on April 9, 1957 in a two-storey stone farmhouse that overlooked the Real Club de Golf de Pedreña, Pedrena is a fishing village near the Bay of Biscay. That's where Seve grew-up, not allowed on the course as a kid but practising his game on the beach with a cut down 7 iron. Later as he got better he was allowed at the club, where his uncle Ramon Sota was a professional.
He was a great driver of the ball in his early days before an arthritic back got to him, but he was the best scrambler I have covered and that's part of what made him so exciting. For those of you who never saw him in his prime, he had the same effect on golf especially in Europe as Tiger has had in this era.
When Jack Nicklaus suggested to the R&A that the Ryder Cup format be expanded to include Europe to make it a better match, he did so with Seve in mind. It was the move that made, what for me, is now one of the most exciting 3 days in sport. He first played in 1979 at the Greenbrier in West Virginia and soon he and Maria Olazabal formed an unbeatable Spanish pairing with 11 wins and two halves from 15 matches
1984 was my favourite Seve memory at St Andrews, what a week we had staying at the Royal Scot hotel just 5 minutes from the R&A clubhouse.
He won of course in his famous royal blue Slazernger sweater, I was sitting in the stand at 18 when he made the famous putt that just fell in the side door, then pumped his fist several times, before turning and punching the air to each of the packed stands and all the galleries surrounding the most famous of finishing holes.
Behind him Tom Watson who had already won 5 Opens, was up against the wall, making bogey at the Road hole, Seve beat him by 2 shots. We waited for the trophy presentation and the ovation he received, and I have been at many, was filled with the love affair between Seve and the Scottish public, it was unforgettable.
That love affair continued, and will continue long past his untimely death in the wee hours of this morning.
I feel lucky to have been there to see him play and will miss him.
Rest in peace Seve.
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmmbles
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