Seve Ballesteros, one of golf’s greatest and most charismatic players, died on Saturday at the age of 54 following a long battle with brain cancer, his family said.
The Spaniard, whose fearless brilliance won him five major titles and inspired a generation of players worldwide, died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, northern Spain. His funeral will be held on Wednesday.
World number one Lee Westwood described Ballesteros as an “inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend,” in one of many warm tributes that poured in from the golfing world and beyond.
Tiger Woods said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a man who played with unique ability.
The death of Ballesteros was keenly felt at the Spanish Open being played in Terrassa in the north east of the country, where players wore black ribbons and observed a minute’s silence. While flags at the course were flying at half-mast, Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez embraced on the practice range at the start of the day as they remembered their friend and fellow Spaniard.
