Severiano Ballesteros, 15 years without the "Picasso of golf"

An important anniversary in the world of golf, Spanish and otherwise: Thursday marks 15 years since the passing of Severiano Ballesteros). On May 7, 2011, Ballesteros died at his home in Pedreña (Cantabria), at the age of 54, after a long battle with a brain tumor diagnosed in 2008. It was a disease he fought against for more than a decade.

Born April 9, 1957, Seve began his history in golf right at his hometown course, Pedreña (Pedreña), first as a caddie and then as a player. From there he built an extraordinary career, characterized by a unique talent for creating shots that few others could even imagine.

He turned professional in 1974 and quickly began winning. His first success on the European circuit came at the 1976 Netherlands Open, while his first victory on the PGA Tour was the Greensboro Open in 1978. But it was the subsequent triumphs that built his legend. Consecration came with The Open Championship in 1979, which made him the youngest winner of the century in the historic tournament. Then followed successes at the Masters Tournament (1980 and 1983) and two more British Opens (1984 and 1988).

His name, however, is inextricably linked to the Ryder Cup, where he was Europe’s charismatic leader in the 1980s and 1990s, winning several editions as both player and captain, with the famous 1997 triumph in Spain remaining historic. In total, Ballesteros racked up 50 victories on the European circuit, nine successes on the PGA Tour, and 61 weeks as world number one, becoming a central figure in the history of world golf.