Javier Ballesteros yesterday completed an impressive performance in his first professional event, tied 12th in the Peugeot Alps de Barcelona at Sant Cugat, the same course where his father Seve also made his pro debut 38 years ago.
Following a stunning first round of 65, 21 year old amateur Ballesteros, Seve’s eldest son, said on Twitter: “I dedicate it to my father. I think he would be happy.”
Ballesteros, who has a handicap of 0.4 and is currently studying law at Madrid’s Complutense University, posted rounds of 65, 73 and 68 to finish four under par for the tournament and 12 behind eventual winner, his compatriot and European Tour champion Pablo Larrazábal.
Severiano Ballesteros went on to win 50 European Tour titles – including five Major Championships – throughout the course of a stellar career that began with a 20th place finish at Sant Cugat in 1974. The younger Ballesteros, though, is currently focussed on his education and is yet to decide whether he will turn professional following graduation from university.
“My mother and father always supported me to play golf, but both always told me that studies come first,” he said. “With every day that passes I enjoy golf more, but I do not plan challenges or set goals. For now I enjoy, have fun.”
The Alps Tour is one of Europe’s four Satellite Tours along with the EPD Tour, EuroPro Tour and the Nordic League, which form the third tier of European professional golf. The leading players from the Satellite Tours progress to the Challenge Tour.
