Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros was one of the most gifted and charismatic golfers of all time, who transformed the image of the sport and brought a whole new audience to the game. He learned to play with a rusty three-iron on the beach near his home, and developed a creative and imaginative style of play that thrilled fans around the world. He won 90 international tournaments in his career, including five major championships: three Open Championships and two Masters Tournaments. He was the first European to win the Masters, and the youngest at the time. He also won six World Match Play titles at Wentworth, and was the European Tour's number one player six times. He played a leading role in the re-emergence of European golf, helping the European Ryder Cup team to five wins as a player and captain. He formed a formidable partnership with José María Olazábal, winning 11 out of 15 matches together. He was also instrumental in bringing the Ryder Cup to continental Europe for the first time in 1997, when he captained the team to victory at Valderrama. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, and received many honors and awards for his contributions to golf and society. He also designed many golf courses around the world, and founded a charitable foundation to support cancer research and young golfers. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2008, and underwent several surgeries and treatments. He died in 2011 at the age of 54, surrounded by his family at his home in Pedreña. His death was mourned by millions of fans and fellow players, who paid tribute to his legacy and influence on the game. He is widely regarded as the greatest Spanish golfer ever, and one of the best players in history.