The word genius is easily attributed to sportsmen and women, but for Seve Ballesteros, who passed away today, genius transcended into a fully-fledged legend.
The cavalier and flamboyant Spaniard broke the mold of professional golf and introduced a whole new generation of players and fans across Europe to the game. Indeed, along with the likes of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle, Seve helped sow the seeds of success that the European Tour now enjoys.
From learning to play golf with an old 3-iron on a beach to winning five Majors (two Masters and three Open Championships), Seve's story is truly one of a great champion.
Among his many achievements, he enjoyed 87 career victories; he was the first European to win the Masters in 1980; he won 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches over eight tournaments, and was the victorious European captain at Valderrama in 1997.
At his peak, Seve's brand of golf was something other professionals could only aspire to match, while the viewing public marveled at, and warmed to, his swashbuckling approach - a style I'll never forget.
On his passing, Seve leaves a lasting legacy to European and world golf that will always be remembered.
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