Woods leads Seve tributes
Tiger Woods hailed Seve Ballesteros as “one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game” as tributes poured in for the Spaniard following his death this morning.
The 54-year-old, who won five majors and was instrumental in growing golf’s popularity, passed away this morning due to respiratory failure. The Spaniard had fought a long battle after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008.
“I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros. I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the Masters,” Woods said on Twitter.
“Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game.
“His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon.”
Ballesteros was also hailed as a “genius”, “the king of European golf” and “Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one”.
World number one Lee Westwood wrote on his Twitter feed: “It’s a sad day, lost an inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve.”
Bernard Gallacher, who captained Ballesteros in three Ryder Cups between 1991 and 1995, said: “Every European Tour player today should thank Seve for what they’re playing for.
“America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer – Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one. You can’t speak too highly of him, Seve was Europe’s best ever player.”
Ballesteros will forever be associated with the Ryder Cup, having helped Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later.
And Gallacher said: “He felt it was his duty as the best player in the world to inspire the European team.
“When I became captain in 1991 he was still one of the best players in the world and he formed a formidable partnership with (Jose Maria) Olazabal, virtually unbeatable.”
Ballesteros also delivered an inspirational message to Colin Montgomerie’s victorious team at Celtic Manor last year, and Gallacher added: “Seve’s best golf was played in the 1980s but he was still inspiring this new generation of golfers – the Martin Kaymers, the Ross Fishers, we’ve heard from Lee Westwood how as a young boy he would watch Seve and everyone would want to copy and emulate Seve.”
Montgomerie was equal in his praise, adding: “Never before in our lifetime have we seen such a talent swing a golf club.
“We’ve lost one of the great icons of the sport, but may we also celebrate Seve’s life. I think it’s only right at this time – what a character and what a passionate man he was.
“It was an honour to play under him as our captain in the Ryder Cup (in 1997) and an honour to play with him.”
Ballesteros’ former Ryder Cup team-mate Howard Clark said: “We are looking at a top artist – the king of European golf, if you like, for many years.
“He brought excitement into the European game as Arnold Palmer did into the American game. Everybody drew another breath when he played – it was like watching a masterpiece.”
European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “This is such a very sad day for all who love golf.
“Seve’s unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination.
“We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind The European Tour.”
Ballesteros’ former caddie Billy Foster remembers him as “an absolute gentleman, the ultimate warrior”.
Foster added on Sky Sports News: “There’s not many players I’ve worked for in my time that have that aura about them. It was a special time – I was probably 25 years old, I’d caddied for maybe 10 years, and I got the ultimate dream chance of working for an absolute superstar.”
Fears began to grow for Ballesteros after his family reported a serious deterioration in his condition last night, at which point his fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia said: “He was a game-changer. To come from where he did and do what he did was amazing.”
England’s Paul Casey added: “He really blazed the trail for Europeans. Not only in the Ryder Cup, but also in how he played at Augusta and his victories over here. We owe a huge amount to him.”
Graeme McDowell added on Twitter: “Amazing to read all the moving messages out there about Seve. He meant a lot to the golf world. He was a genius. Very emotional right now.”
Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the RFEF (Spanish golf federation), told Marca: “He is the great icon of Spanish golf, one of the biggest characters in the sport in general, both inside and outside our borders, a genuine legend who changed the conception of our sport.
“Severiano Ballesteros has been an example of genius, determination and perseverance throughout his life.”
The flags at Real Club de Golf El Prat were flown at half-mast in tribute to Ballesteros for today’s third round of the Spanish Open, while the players wore black ribbons and there was also be a minute’s silence.
Padraig Harrington, also competing in the United States, said: “Seve was the most charismatic and artistic golfer I have ever seen play the game.
“He helped the tremendous growth of the European Tour during the 70s and 80s and inspired all those players who came after him. He will be sadly missed.”
