The golfing world has been rocked this week by the news that five-time major winner, Seve Ballesteros, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Ballesteros was admitted to hospital after collapsing at the airport in Madrid.

Several golfing legends have been quick to offer their support and words of sympathy to the 51 year-old. After visiting Ballesteros in hospital, fellow Spaniard, Jose Maria Olazabal, was the bearer of some positive news: “I thought Seve seemed very well”. Olazabal revealed that Ballesteros was able to chat with him for a long time and ended by wishing him a “speedy recovery”.

These sentiments were echoed by Miguel Angel Jimenez, who spoke of his “love” for the golfing legend. Jimenez was also trying to keep positive, speaking of his desire for Ballesteros to “recover as soon as possible”.

The thoughts of Olazabal and Jimenez are undoubtedly representative of those of the golfing community as a whole. Few people have ever had a bad word to say about Ballesteros, a man who has changed the face of golf dramatically.

He turned professional at the age of 16 and, just two years later, finished second in the Open. He won an impressive total of 87 titles during his long career before retiring in 2007 after succumbing to back and knee problems caused by arthritis.

His title wins included the Open in 1979, 1984, and 1988 whilst victories in the Masters came in 1980 and 1983. Ballesteros lit up the golfing world in the 1980s and has directly influenced the careers of legends such as Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, and Bernhard Langer.

However, most people will remember him for his impact upon the Ryder Cup. Maria Acacia, Spanish press officer for the European Tour, has spoken of her respect for Ballesteros: “I think Seve has not only made a huge contribution to golf in Spain, but also the whole of Europe”.

Acacia continued to state that the player’s “new kind of golf” changed the Ryder Cup and the current form of the competition “owes a lot” to him. He competed in eight Ryder Cup competitions between 1979 and 1995 and won 20 points from just 37 matches. One of his proudest moments came in 1997, when he led the European team to victory at Valderrama.

Sam Torrance, also a former European Ryder Cup captain, has spoken of his sadness at the “tragic news”. Torrance also echoed the thoughts of many by referring to Ballesteros as “one of the best-ever players” who enjoyed a “glorious career”.

Seve Ballesteros was so fond of the Ryder Cup competition that he decided to launch another competition in the style of the Ryder Cup. The Seve Trophy was established in 2000 and was immediately popular among golfers from the UK and Europe.

Ballesteros’ impact on the game is undeniable and the golfing world can only hope that he makes a full recovery. In the words of Tony Jacklin, Ballesteros is “unique. The impossible was an everyday thing for him”. Furthermore, whilst another player may “come along with enormous talent again”, there will always be just “one Seve”.

Written by Charlotte Cook