Severiano Ballesteros begins what he calls "the most difficult game of my life" tomorrow when he undergoes a biopsy on a brain tumour which was diagnosed after the legendary Spanish golfer, 51, fainted at Madrid Airport just over a week ago. The golfing world has been shocked by the distressing news about one of its finest ambassadors and contemporaries of the flamboyant golfer have inundated the Hospital La Paz with good luck messages.
Jose Maria Olazabal, who rode on the crest of a wave of euphoria that Ballesteros's infectious personality created in Spain, was one of those who made a personal visit. "I thought Seve seemed very well - we were talking for a good while," said the man who created a powerful bond with him as they frequently paired up in Ryder Cup matches against the United States. Jose Maria Jimenez, who followed Ballesteros into Europe's Ryder Cup team and also into the world spotlight, added: "Seve, we love you. We hope you recover as soon as possible," while Sam Torrance, a Ryder Cup captain in Ballesteros's heyday, also offered moving support.
"It's tragic news, he's one of the best-ever players," said the Scotsman Torrance. "I have many fond memories of playing with him and against him. I was on tour before he started and I was on tour after he finished, so I was a witness to his glorious career. I hope he gets better." That glorious career which Torrance referred to ended as recently as last year when Ballesteros called a press conference in the middle of the British Open Championship at Carnoustie and announced a reluctant retirement brought about by an alarming loss of form and severe back problems.
It was appropriate that he brought down the curtain on an outstanding career at the world's biggest tournament which he had won three times - in 1979, 1984 and 1988 - raising his haul of majors to five by winning the US Masters at Augusta in 1980 and 1983 as he went on the way to amassing a total of 87 titles. A professional since 1974 - eight days after his 17th birthday - his charismatic personality was first displayed on the world stage at the British Open of 1976 at Royal Birkdale in which he threatened to become a shock winner until being overtaken on the run-in by the American Johnnie Miller.
It was a competition which offered no individual glory, however, that established Ballesteros as the leading figure of his generation. He took to the Ryder Cup like a duck to water and became the scourge of the Americans in earning 20 points from the 37 rubbers he contested before captaining Europe to victory on his home soil of Valderrama in 1997. Ballesteros attempted to reassure his worried army of fans by making a statement on his personal website last week to the effect that he was feeling fine.
He issued a further message in advance of tomorrow's examination: "Throughout my entire career I have been one of the best at overcoming obstacles on the golf course. Now I want to be the best, facing the most difficult game of my life, using all my strength and also counting on those who have been sending me get-well messages." @Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
