Some Seve stats..

Europeantour.com takes a statistical look at the career of Seve Ballesteros, who died in the early hours of Saturday morning.

• Turned professional in March 1974, aged 16.

• His first European Tour event was at the 1974 Spanish Open, aged 17 years and eight days, making him the youngest professional to play in a European Tour event.

• His first cheque came in his third event – a tie for fifth in the 1974 Italian Open. He collected €1,680.

• Won his first European Tour title at the 1976 Dutch Open in his 27th event, beating Howard Clark by eight shots. Aged 19 years and 121 days.

• His victory in the Dutch Open helped him win The Order of Merit for the first time in 1976 aged 19 years and 250 days – the youngest player to achieve the feat.

• After winning The Order of Merit in 1976, he retained it in both 1977 and 1978. He went onto win it again in 1986 and 1991.

• Won the first of his three Open Championships in 1979. Repeated the feat in 1984 and 1988.

• First European player to win the Masters Tournament in 1980. Won again in 1983. In 1980 aged 23 years and four days, to become the then youngest winner. Was 2nd in 1885 and 1987. From 1980-90 was T10 eight times

• Finished in the top ten of The European Tour Order of Merit every year between 1976-1989 and 16 times during his career – a European Tour record held jointly with Bernhard Langer.

• Won 50 European Tour International Schedule titles, eight more than Bernhard Langer, who is next highest.

• Won at least one European Tour title for 17 consecutive years between 1976 and 1992 – a European Tour record.

• Played in 418 European Tour events and made the cut in 311 with 170 of those finishing in the top ten.

• Was the last player to win three consecutive European Tour events in 1986, at the Irish Open, Monte Carlo Open and Open de France.

• Made European Tour history in 1986 by becoming the first player to win six official events in a single season. His victories were: British Masters, Irish Open, Monte Carlo Open, Open de France, Dutch Open and Trophée Lancôme

• Was the first player to reach £1 million, £2 million and £3 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles