Seve Ballesteros' love affair with The Open 40 years on from St Andrews glory
Seve Ballesteros is is a three-time Open champion, and 40 years on from his final win at St Andrews, his family have taken an emotional look back at his legacy
'Legend' is a word often overused in the world of professional sport, but one man who is more than deserving of the tag is one of golf's most talented in Sevriano Ballesteros.
Golf is of course known for its hardened traditions, but 'Seve' broke the mould when bursting onto the scene, as the golfing maverick's passion and wizardry on the golf course saw him become one of the game's greatest entertainers. Whilst a proud Spaniard, Ballesteros' love affair with The Open Championship was unmatched.
With a CV including the crown of 50 European Tour victories - the most of any player - as well as two Masters titles, it is his three Claret Jug wins at The Open that meant the most to him.
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The majority of his success came at Royal Lytham & St Annes, which played host to two of his three Open victories in 1979 and 1988. The first came as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, as the Spaniard saw off two of his great American rivals in Ben Crenshaw and Jack Nicklaus by three shots.
The second of his two Lytham wins came nine years later, this time fending off Nick Price by two shots having overturned the Zimbabwean star's 54-hole lead on Championship Sunday. The win that came in between his first and last however is the one that proved the most important to the European stalwart.
In 1984 Ballesteros completed one of the greatest golfing accolades of all time, winning the Claret Jug at the Home of Golf, St Andrews. His winning putt on the 72nd hole led to one of golf's most iconic images, as Seve fist rose into the air with the iconic clubhouse sitting just behind him.
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Having passed away in 2011, the former Ryder Cup captain's legacy lives on through his family, who are set to launch a Seve-dedicated clothing line 40 years on from his win at St Andrews. "He felt at home when he was at The Open," Ballesteros' son Javier told Mirror Sport at Royal Troon this week.
"He won three times and you could see his smile when he was out on the course and when he was playing here." What captivated Ballesteros most of all during his time competing for the Claret Jug was his relationship with the British crowd, having become a fan favourite at the event despite his Spanish heritage.
"I feel it every time that I come to the UK, the British people love my dad. It is always special to be here" Ballesteros added. "He was always happy to play for the British crowds, he always spoke about that. They had a special connection. He always felt he was a fan favourite for the crowds even instead of some Scottish or British players, so he always felt at home."
Having endured some injury issues during the late 2000s, Ballesteros played his final Open in 2006 aged 50, and despite missing the cut and ending his Open era it was arguably one of his most special. Competing at Hoylake, the Spaniard was joined by his son Javier, who caddied for his dad aged just 15.
"I made special memories with him when I caddied in 2006 at Hoylake," Javier commented. "He was not going to play but I asked if he would play so I could caddie for him and it was fantastic to go inside the ropes and feel the crowds, to see how much he was, and still is loved."
Despite being passed his best, the five-time major champion still had time to show off one final piece of Open magic, which even took his son by surprise. Javier went on: "I specifically remember in the second round on the fourth hole, a short par-four. He hit a bad four-wood to the left side and had to lay-up to 15, 20 yards to the hole. I remember the course that week was firm and he had this shot 15, 20-yard shot with a pot-bunker and then just five metres to the flag.
"He took out his wedge, and I said to him 'yes, chip it four or five metres passed the flag to try and save par'. He looked at me and then said 'What, I can't understand this?'. He then just chipped it to three-feet and we made par. I said 'OK, I will never doubt like that again when he is chipping'." The perfect example of Seve magic.
The Seve collection will be available for purchase from the 22nd July via www.sevecollection.com and through leading golf retailers across the UK and Europe."
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