Seve Ballesteros, a five-time major champion whose passion and gift for imaginative shot-making invigorated European golf and the Ryder Cup, has died from complications of a cancerous brain tumor. He was 54.
A statement on Ballesteros’ website early Saturday said the golf great died peacefully at 2:10 a.m. local time, surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, in northern Spain.
Ballesteros won five major events: the British Open three times and the Masters Tournament twice. He amassed 87 titles worldwide, including a record 48 on the European Tour, collecting $7.6 million in winnings and much more in endorsements and other business interests.
In a Star Wars era, Ballesteros was Darth Vader to an entire contingent of American Luke Skywalkers. He wasn't a bad guy, but he was a European that was brash and bold. He also had every escape shot in the books. He was exciting to watch and great to root against.
He underwent four operations at the end of 2008 for a brain tumor and began chemotherapy treatments after being released from Madrid’s La Paz hospital. After chemotherapy, he returned to public life the following year and made several appearances to promote his charity that funds brain tumor research.
In 2000, he was voted European Player of the Century. He was the region’s leading money-winner six times, and ended his 33-year playing career in July 2007, a week after saying he suffered heart palpitations. Since then, he devoted his time to a golf-course design business, a company that organized the Seve Trophy -- now known as the Vivendi Trophy -- on the European Tour and a venture that provided motivational coaching.
Ballesteros had two sons and a daughter with his wife, Carmen. Their marriage ended in divorce.
