About Seve

Seve Ballesteros was, for a decade, arguably the greatest golfer on the planet. Former World No. 1 and winner of over 80 tournaments including five major championships, Seve burst onto the international scene in 1976 aged 19 when he chased Johnny Miller around Royal Birkdale to secure a second-place finish in the Open Championship. This wonderfully charismatic, larger than life Spaniard captivated the hearts of fans all over the world, and provided us with some of the most memorable moments in golfing history.

He was the man who made golfers everywhere believe anything was possible – from the trees, the bushes, the rough and even a car park! Seve made doing it the hard way look breathtakingly easy. At his best, he was unbeatable, he knew it and so did the rest of the world.

The ‘toughest match’ of Seve’s life

In October 2008, Seve faced the “toughest match of his life”. He collapsed at Madrid Airport and, following the discovery of a brain tumour the size of two golf balls, underwent life-saving brain surgery at La Paz hospital in Madrid. The courage and determination he had shown for 30 years on the golf course helped him in his greatest challenge.

In 2009, Seve set up the Seve Ballesteros Foundation in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for brain cancer research. His aim was to make a real difference in the fight against brain cancer. Seve was moved by the support the British public showed him during his fight with brain cancer and his ambition to help those diagnosed with the disease in the future.

Seve Ballesteros Foundation – on course to beat brain cancer

Find out more about what we aim to achieve, leave a message or follow the Foundation on Twitter.

Statue to commemorate the first anniversary of Seve's passing. Located in his house in Pedrena.