Europeantour.com takes a statistical look at the career of the great Seve Ballesteros, who was born on this day in 1957.
• Turned professional in March 1974, aged 16.
• His first European Tour event was at the 1974 Spanish Open, aged 17 years and eight days, making him the youngest professional to play in a European Tour event.
• His first cheque came in his third event – a tie for fifth in the 1974 Italian Open. He collected €1,680.
• Won his first European Tour title at the 1976 Dutch Open in his 27th event, beating Howard Clark by eight shots. Aged 19 years and 121 days.
Most European Tour wins 🏆
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 9, 2018
5⃣0⃣ Ballesteros
4⃣2⃣ Langer
4⃣0⃣ Woods
3⃣2⃣ Montgomerie
3⃣1⃣ Faldo
2⃣9⃣ Woosnam
2⃣8⃣ Els
2⃣3⃣ Westwood
2⃣3⃣ Olazabal
2⃣1⃣ Torrance
2⃣1⃣ Jimenez
1⃣8⃣ Lyle
1⃣8⃣ James
1⃣6⃣ McNulty
1⃣5⃣ Harrington
1⃣5⃣ Bjorn pic.twitter.com/EhiDC95AeM
• His victory in the Dutch Open helped him win The Order of Merit for the first time in 1976 aged 19 years and 250 days – the youngest player to achieve the feat.
• After winning The Order of Merit in 1976, he retained it in both 1977 and 1978. He went onto win it again in 1986 and 1991.
• Won the first of his three Open Championships in 1979. Repeated the feat in 1984 and 1988.
• First European player to win the Masters Tournament in 1980. Won again in 1983. In 1980 aged 23 years and four days, to become the then youngest winner.
Seve and José María Olazábal pictured in their Green Jackets ahead of the 1995 Champions Dinner at The Masters. pic.twitter.com/9F1qqNKBmj
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 9, 2020
• Finished in the top ten of The European Tour Order of Merit every year between 1976-1989 and 16 times during his career – a European Tour record held jointly with Bernhard Langer.
• Won 50 European Tour International Schedule titles, eight more than Bernhard Langer, who is next highest.
Seve's amazing career in numbers 📈#OneSeve
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 9, 2020
• Won at least one European Tour title for 17 consecutive years between 1976 and 1992 – a European Tour record.
• Played in 418 European Tour events and made the cut in 311 with 170 of those finishing in the top ten.
1976 and a 19-year-old Spanish kid called Severiano Ballesteros has just burst onto the golfing scene.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 9, 2020
In just his second appearance at #TheOpen Seve finished tied 2nd.#OneSeve pic.twitter.com/jDdgaXObRK
• Was the last player to win three consecutive European Tour events in 1986, at the Irish Open, Monte Carlo Open and Open de France.
• Made European Tour history in 1986 by becoming the first player to win six official events in a single season. His victories were: British Masters, Irish Open, Monte Carlo Open, Open de France, Dutch Open and Trophée Lancôme
• Was the first player to reach £1 million, £2 million and £3 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.
Over 75,000 votes were cast 🗳️
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 9, 2020
With Seve being crowned @RyderCupEurope's greatest player.
