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Golf legend Seve Ballesteros passes away

Golf legend Seve Ballesteros passes away

The legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros has passed away after losing his battle with cancer. He was 54.

Mr. Ballesteros had millions of fans across the world after a career which saw him win five majors and 87 other titles.

He had turned professional at the age of 16 and two years later was runner-up to the great Jack Nicklaus in the Open at Royal Birkdale.

He was to win the Open in 1979, the first of three triumphs in the competition.

In 1980 he became the first European to win the Masters at Augusta, and he was to don the coveted green jacket again three years later.

Mr. Ballesteros had also enjoyed success in the Ryder Cup as a player on eight occasions and as a winning captain at Valderrama in 1997.

It was his charisma and great enthusiasm for the game which won over so many of his fans.

American golfer Phil Mickelson credits watching Seve as young man for his decision to start playing the game.

At the last Masters Mr. Mickelson dedicated a Spanish-themed Champions’ dinner to Seve.

He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing at Madrid airport in 2008.

As his condition deteroriated this week the Spanish Open – the last competition he won in 1995 – was taking place. Some of his close friends, who were taking part in the competition, were reported to be in tears as they ended their rounds after hearing the news of Seve’s poor state.

In a statement the Ballesteros family said Seve had passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Penreña in Northern Spain.

 

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