Pedrena, Spain (NEWSTABULOUS): Spanish golf legend Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros died early Saturday at his home in Pedrena, in northern Spain.
Ballesteros died after a long battle with cancer, he was 54.
A statement on his official website said,
“Today [Saturday], at 2:10 a.m. Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena,”
A brain tumour was discovered after Ballesteros collapsed at Madrid Airport on the 5th October 2008. He underwent surgery at Madrid Hospital to remove the tumour, which he later said was,
“the size of two golf balls.”
Ballesteros had four operations to remove the brain tumour and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Ballesteros was considered by many fellow golf professionals and commentators to be one of golf’s most gifted and charismatic players (BBC.co.uk).
BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss, said of Ballesteros,
“He was a fighter – feisty, skillful, cheeky and loveable. When Seve was in a good mood the world was happy.”
Ballesteros turned professional at age 16, went on to come second in the Open behind Johnny Miller in 1976. He then became the youngest person to win the Open in 1980 aged 23.
Ballesteros won five major titles in his 30 year long golf career, including winning The Masters twice. He won 87 titles in total and The Open three times – in 1979, 1984 and 1988.
He also enjoyed success with the Ryder Cup, both as a player, then as captain of the team, taking them to victory in 1997.
BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter said:
“No golfer did more to popularize 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.”
Ballesteros was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.
He played sparingly in the late nineties and early 2000 until he retired in July 2007 due to arthritis and chronic pain in his back.
On his official website, the Ballesteros family posted this statement,
“The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumor on 5th October 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz . . . The family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time.”
image:foxsports
Similar Posts:
- Rory McIlroy US Open; No More Nerves
- Kobe Fined 100K for Gay Slur
- World’s Most Dangerous Water Hazard on Golf Course
- Rory McIlroy Youngest Ever To Win US Open
- The Golf Swing Secret
