Spanish · Pedreña, Spain · Born 9 April 1957 · Died 2011-05-07Ballesteros was a charismatic Spanish icon whose flair and five major titles helped transform European golf into a global power.
Severiano Ballesteros Sota was born on 9 April 1957 in Pedreña, a small fishing village in Cantabria, northern Spain, the son of Baldomero Ballesteros and Carmen Sota, and one of four brothers who all became professional golfers. He learned the game playing on the beaches near his home using a crude 3-iron given to him by an older brother, and turned professional at just 16 in 1974. Ballesteros announced himself internationally by tying for second at the 1976 Open Championship as a teenager, and went on to win five major championships, including the Masters twice and the Open Championship three times, most memorably his 1984 victory at St Andrews. Ballesteros, renowned for his flamboyant, imaginative shot-making from seemingly impossible positions, formed a legendary Ryder Cup partnership with fellow Spaniard José María Olazábal, compiling an outstanding 11-2-2 record together and inspiring European golf's rise to challenge American dominance in the competition. Ballesteros retired from competitive golf in 2007 due to chronic back problems, and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in October 2008. He died on 7 May 2011, at age 54, at his home in Pedreña, surrounded by family, prompting tributes from across the golfing world for a career that inspired a generation of players, including his childhood hero status to a young Phil Mickelson.
Leading the European golf resurgence of the 1980s
How They Played
Creative, aggressive, exceptional scrambling ability
Lasting Impact
Transformed European golf and inspired generation of players
Career Honours
- The Open 1979, 1984, 1988
- Masters 1980, 1983
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1999
- European Tour record 50 wins
- Ryder Cup captain 1997
Spanish Athletes