RIP - Seve Ballesteros

[spangley1812]

Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros has died after a protracted battle with cancer.

The 54-year-old passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, northern Spain, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Ballesteros was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport.

The five-time major winner had four operations to remove the tumour as well as undergoing chemotherapy.

In a statement, the Ballesteros family expressed gratitude for the "support and gestures of love" it had received and asked for "respect and privacy at such a painful time."

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Golf great Ballesteros dies at 54
Ballesteros, who claimed 87 titles over his career, won the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Augusta Masters in 1980, repeating the feat in 1983.

He also enjoyed a successful Ryder Cup career as both player and captain - playing in eight Ryder Cups and winning 20 points from 37 matches before guiding Europe to victory over the United States at Valderrama in 1997.

But it was his daring and flamboyant style that made Ballesteros special, transforming the image of golf and bringing a whole new audience to the sport.

BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter said: "No golfer did more to popularise the game in Europe than Seve Ballesteros.

"He played a fearless, exciting and charismatic brand of the game. It thrilled sport fans all over the world."

Tennis star Rafael Nadal described Ballesteros as a "reference point" for Spanish athletes.

"He's one of the greats of this country without a doubt," he said.

Ballesteros appeared in public for the first time following the surgery in May 2009 when he went to watch his local football team Racing Santander and was given a standing ovation.

He had called his battle against the tumour the "hardest challenge of my life."

[VillaZogmariner]

RIP

[JUAN PABLO]

Genius..R.I.P

[Villan For Life]

I'm not particularly interested in Golf but there was something about Seve that I really liked. 

R.I.P.

[Fergal]

That is sad, RIP one of the real golf greats.

[TopDeck113]

The world of golf will gather for his funeral and as his coffin is lowered, no doubt some crass Yank will shout out, "In the hole!"...

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Golf is just about my least favourite sport but Ballesteros was someone who would get me watching.

[PaulWinch again]

RIP Seve.

[Colhint]

genius, RIP

[Walmley_Villa]

RIP - grew up with him on the TV and one of the best smiles in sport.

[Desi]

In the 70's I joined Slazengers as Area Manager for the Midlands and one of the things which we had to do was attend any major tournaments in or near our area to give any Slazenger Contracted Players their Golf Ball allocation.

I had to go down to St Pierre GC to see Seve, when I got there he was already on the practice ground and I'll never forget standing behind him as he worked his way through the clubs hitting ball after ball to his caddy, Nick de Paul (who was wearing a Baseball Glove).
300. 200, 100 yards every ball straight into the glove (except TWO which Nick had to move his feet to catch!), as a 'hacker' I just marvelled at the skill and control.
I met him on a number of occasions after that and was fortunate to be at Lytham in '79 when he won his first Open and again in 1984 at St Andrews (the famous picture of him punching the air, wearing a navy Slazenger jumper, sales of which went through the roof!}.

He was one of those sportmen who have that certain 'something' about them when they play their game.

What a champion he was.

[flybo]

RIP Seve

[SteveN]

In you own lifetime there are some sportsmen/women who may be or may not be the best but rise above their sport.  Sevy for me was in that category along with Mohammed Ali, Lester Piggot and Viv Richards.   

Very sad, way too young, RIP Seve.

[SheffieldVillain]

The word 'legend' is used far too often nowadays, but in this case fully justified. One of the greats.

I also really liked this quote from Peter Alliss, a really nice thing to say about someone.
"When Seve was in a good mood the world was happy."

[The Left Side]

The word 'legend' is used far too often nowadays, but in this case fully justified. One of the greats.

I also really liked this quote from Peter Alliss, a really nice thing to say about someone.
"When Seve was in a good mood the world was happy."

I was going to say Legend, an absolutely top guy and a golfer who loved to beat the USA in the Ryder Cup, sadly taken from us too early, RIP Seve!