Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota was born in Pedreña, Cantabria, Spain, on 9 April 1957 and would go on to become one of the most prolific players to grace the game.
With his maternal uncle Ramón Sota being a four-time Spanish professional champion and finishing sixth in the Masters in 1965, along with three of his four brothers also becoming professional golfers, golf seemed to be part of Seve’s DNA.
Despite his uncle’s successes, as well Seve’s brother Manuel finishing in the Top 100 of the European Tour’s order of merit for 11 years running, Seve would become the most successful golfer in the family.
Seve burst onto the scene in 1976 – two years after turning professional at the age of 16 – at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club when he placed second after a final round 74. He had led by two shots after 54 holes but seemed to succumb to the pressure put on him by the eventual winner, Johnny Miller, who ended six shots ahead of Seve and Jack Nicklaus.
Seve’s career skyrocketed hereafter, as he would go on to claim a total of 91 career wins, of which five were major tournaments (three Open Championships titles, and two Masters titles).
He would become the European tour’s most successful golfer, earning himself a half-century worth of titles.
His phenomenal career finally came to an end in 2007 when he retired from the Champions Tour following recurring problems with his back.
The sheer surrealism of of Seve Ballesteros’ career might not be effectively expressed in words, so instead we’ve opted to break it down by the groundbreaking numbers he racked up throughout his career.
Professional victories: 91
PGA Tour Wins: 9
European Tour: 50 (most ever)
Japan Golf Tour: 6
Other: 31 (including amateur victories)
Major Championships: 5
Major Championship Top 10s: 20
Ryder Cup Victories: 5
Largest victory margin at a major: 7 shots, 1980 Masters (–13 final score)
Golf World Cup Victories: 2
European Tour Order of Merit Winner: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1991
European Tour Player of the Year: 1986, 1988, 1991
World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee: 1999
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