It is hard to pinpoint which of Seve Ballesteros’ record 50 European Tour victories was the most important or memorable, but for ten months at the very least, his Dutch Open win this day 40 years ago was the pinnacle of what would become one of the most famous careers in golfing history.
Though just 19 years of age, the Spaniard’s maiden European Tour title certainly came as little surprise – he had finished runner up in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale the previous month.
But the manner of his victory – an eight-shot triumph over Howard Clark at Kennemer Golf and Country Club – provided an early indicator of the talent and drive of a man who would become European golf’s most prolific winner.
Having made his European Tour debut in 1974 as a fresh-faced 17 year old, the man from northern Spain knocked on the door a number of times during his first two seasons in the paid ranks, but a first trophy proved elusive.
Five top ten finishes in 18 starts during those first two seasons was a record not to be sniffed at, but it was in 1976 when he truly made his mark on world golf.
The 105th Open Championship almost provided Ballesteros with the breakthrough of all breakthroughs as he entered the final round at Birkdale with a two-stroke lead. He struggled to a final round 74 though, and eventually finished in a share of the runner-up spot, six shots behind winner Johnny Miller of the USA.
His spirit and resolve never faltered, however, as he challenged for the title on both of his next two appearances – finishing third at both the Scandinavian Open and Swiss Open.
His hard work and determination finally paid off though, and he opened with a 65 at the Dutch Open to take an early lead before carrying a one-shot advantage over Clark into the final round at the Amsterdam venue.
In a style with which he would soon become synonymous, the great Seve marched to a marvellous victory on the Dutch coast with a final round 69 and a 13 under par total.
The rest, as they say, is history.
1976 Dutch Open
1977 Open de France
1977 Uniroyal International Championship
1977 Swiss Open
1978 Martini International
1978 Braun German Open
1978 Scandinavian Enterprise Open
1978 Swiss Open
1979 Lada English Golf Classic
1979 The Open Championship
1980 Masters Tournament
1980 Madrid Open
1980 Martini International
1980 Dutch Open
1981 Scandinavian Enterprise Open
1981 Benson and Hedges Spanish Open
1982 Cepsa Madrid Open
1982 Paco Rabanne Open de France
1983 Masters Tournament
1983 Sun Alliance PGA Championship
1983 Carroll's Irish Open
1983 Lancome Trophy
1984 The Open Championship
1985 Carroll's Irish Open
1985 Peugeot Open de France
1985 Sanyo Open
1985 Benson and Hedges Spanish Open
1986 Dunhill British Masters
1986 Carroll's Irish Open
1986 Johnnie Walker Monte Carlo Open
1986 Peugeot Open de France
1986 KLM Dutch Open
1986 Lancome Trophy
1987 Suze Open
1988 Mallorca Open de Baleares
1988 The Open Championship
1988 Scandinavian Enterprise Open
1988 German Open
1988 Lancome Trophy
1989 Cepsa Madrid Open
1989 Epson Grand Prix of Europe
1989 Ebel European Masters Swiss Open
1990 Open Renault de Baleares
1991 Volvo PGA Championship
1991 Dunhill British Master
1992 Dubai Desert Classic
1992 Turespana Open de Baleares
1994 Benson & Hedges International Open
1994 Mercedes German Masters
1995 Peugeot Spanish Open
