Seve Ballesteros would have turned 59 today. It seems apt that we are in Augusta at an event he loved and won twice in his career. In memory of the great man, we have compiled some great, rarely seen photos of the 50-time European Tour champion.
1. Young Seve
Seve competing in the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club in 1976. While he didn't win that week, he did go on to claim 50 European Tour titles over the next 19 years.
2. Seve and Ollie
An early photo of Seve sheltering from rain alongside his good friend José María Olazábal. Three years later they would pair up together for the first time at The 1986 Ryder Cup. The duo went on to play 15 Ryder Cup matches together, winning 11, drawing two and losing two. The most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history.
3. On the range at Augusta
Seve, his coach Mac O'Grady and his caddy Billy Foster prepare on the range at Augusta ahead of the 1994 Masters. The video technology might have changed but the caddy outfits haven't!
4. Escaping from the crowds
A 22 year old Seve emerges from the crowd on the final hole of The 1979 Open Championship at Royal Lytham Golf Club. Two shots later he would secure his first Major title, beating Jack Nicklaus and Ben Crenshaw by three shots.
5. Leftie
He may have found the trouble more than most players but no one scrambled better than Seve. Here he escapes, left-handed, from the rough on the 18th hole of his match against Ernie Els in the 1994 Toyota World Match Play Championship.
6. Receiving some bad news
Seve was often in need of a ruling and he knew the rules better than most players but in this instance at Wentworth, European Tour referee John Paramor is the bearer of bad news.
7. The rake shot
Seve was never shy when it came to entertaining the crowds. Seen here at the EMC Skills challenge before the 1999 Volvo PGA Championship, Ballesteros showed off by escaping a green side bunker with a rake.
8. Fairway bunker, fairway wood
Few players could hit the escape shots that Seve hit but even fewer would even attempt them. At the 1997 Canon European Masters Ballesteros found this lie in a fairway bunker. Many may have just wedged back to the fairway but not Seve, he used a fairway wood and took aim at the green.
9. The miracle escape
A few years before at the same event, Seve hit one of the most incredible escape shots of his career. Having birdied five holes in a row to tie the lead, Seve drove his ball on the last hole in the trees behind a wall. Despite Billy Foster, his caddy at the time, urging him not to Seve took on the impossible, hit it under the tree, over the wall, and just short of the green. He then, of course, chipped in for birdie. "There is not a chance in the world that anybody else would have considered that shot let alone played it," Foster said. " It was simply miracle stuff. Genius"
10. Seve at St Andrews
Perhaps the most famous victory of Seve's career came at the Home of Golf. He entered the final round two shots behind Tom Watson and Ian Baker-Finch but by the time he walked across the Swilcan Bridge he had a one shot lead. One famous birdie putt and celebration later and he had won his fourth Major championship.
11. Seve at Pebble Beach
There are very few photos of Seve at Pebble Beach but this one is pretty special. He and caddie Billy Foster take a moment to enjoy the the view from the fairway on the par four eighth hole during the 1992 US Open.
12. Captain Seve
No one enjoyed the Ryder Cup more than Seve Ballesteros and this photo shows a moment of celebration between him and Ian Woosnam as they toasted a famous victory at The 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill Golf Club.
13. Seve in a crowd
Seve was beloved by British golf fans. They would flock to Open Championships and European Tour events to see the matador-like flair of the Spaniard. This photo was taken during the first round of The 1988 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club.
14. All eyes onSeve
Thousands of fans gather for the play-off at the 1991 Volvo PGA Championship on the first hole at Wentworth, where Seve battled Colin Montgomerie for the title. This five iron from 220 yards would finish three feet from the hole and secure the win for Ballesteros. Many consider it one of best shots in European Tour history.
15. An intimate lesson from Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo helping Seve Ballesteros on the range at the 1992 Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Jamaica. We're not too sure why Seve isn't wearing any trousers.
16. Seve the magician
Ballesteros entertains guests at a clinic ahead of the 1988 European Open at Walton Heath Golf Club.
17. Between the legs
And if you thought off the knees was too easy, here's Seve during a practice round at The 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale escaping a green side bunker between his legs.
18. Seve in the gym
In an effort to keep fit Seve installed a personal gym in his home in Pedrena in Spain. Here he is at 38 years old running on his treadmill preparing for the 1996 European Tour season.
19. Victory for Seve
A young Jesper Parnevik looks on as Seve celebrates holing the winning putt at the 1992 Turespana Open de Baleares at the Golf Santa Ponsa in Spain.
20. Farewell to the Open
In 2006 Seve bid an emotional farewell to The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club alongside his son, Javier, on the bag. He finished his career having won the Claret Jug three times with 28 appearances in total at The Open.
