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In pictures: The life and times of Seve Ballesteros

Tim Schmitt
USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2021, 10:26 a.m. ET
Severiano Ballesteros of Spain with his caddie Dave Musgrove of England during the final round of the 108th Open Championship played at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club on July 21, 1979 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

A decade after his passing, Severiano Ballesteros Sota is still the all-time leading winner on the European Tour and a Spanish golf icon.

Ballesteros, the youngest of five sons, won 50 times on the Euro Tour and finished with five victories in majors — including the Masters twice (1980, 1983) and the Open Championship three times (1979‎, ‎1984‎, ‎1988).

His success and flair endeared him to fans in both his native Spain, across Europe and in the U.S. Ballesteros, 54, died in 2011 after battling a brain tumor.

Here's a look at the life and times of one of the game's greatest personalities.

Seve Ballesteros at the Augusta National GC during the 1981 Masters. Mandatory Credit: File Photo -The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORK
Seve Ballesteros and his caddie read his shot during the 1986 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in April 1986 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Augusta National/Getty Images)
1983 Masters Champion Seve Ballesteros shakes hands with 1984 Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw at the Presentation Ceremony during the 1984 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in April 15th, 1984 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Augusta National/Getty Images)
Seve Ballesteros receives the green jacket from Craig Stadler after the 1983 Masters Tournament. (Brian Morgan/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Masters Champion Seve Ballesteros shakes hands with 1982 winner Craig Stadler during the 1983 Masters Tournament. (Augusta National/Getty Images)
Severiano Ballesteros of Spain during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club 1980 in Augusta, Georgia.
Seve Ballesteros at the 1984 British Open (Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images)
Tom Watson Puts On The Green Jacket With The Help Of Seve Ballesteros At The Presentation Ceremony Of The 1981 Masters Tournament (Photo by Augusta National/Getty Images)
Seve Ballesteros was a boyhood hero of Sergio Garcia's. (Getty Images)
1992: (Left to right) Nick Faldo of England, Sandy Lyle of Scotland, Ian Woosnam of Wales, Bernhard Langer of Germany and Seve Ballesteros of Spain pose for a photograph before a Champions dinner after the US Masters in Augusta, Georgia, USA. MandatoryCredit: Stephen Munday/Allsport
Severiano Ballesteros from Spain.
European captain Seve Ballesteros holds the trophy in the rain after his team beat the U.S. 14.5-13.5 to win the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Spain.
Seve Ballesteros, left, and captain Tony Jacklin celebrate as Europe marched toward its first Ryder Cup win on U.S. soil in 1987 at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.
Seve Ballesteros gets his Green Jacket after winning the 1983 Masters.
Jose Maria Olazabal poses with the Ryder Cup, as well as the stand bag with Seve Ballesteros' image on it.
Tony Jacklin, Captain of Europe with team members Manuel Pinero, Ian Woosnam, Paul Way, Severiano Ballesteros, Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance, Howard Clark, Jose Rivero, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Canizares and Ken Brown celebrate winning the 26th Ryder Cup at the Brabazon Course of The Belfry in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England.
Seve Ballesteros, of Spain, reacts after chipping into the hole on the second hole during final round play of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 1989. Ballesteros' charge put him as one of the early leaders.
Severiano Ballesteros in play around 1987.
Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, seen in a January 1996 portrait.
Seve Ballesteros after winning the '84 Open.
Seve Ballesteros wins the 1979 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne's.
Tony Jacklin and Seve Ballesteros were two of the forces that helped turn the tide for Team Europe.
Seve Ballesteros of Spain discusses options with caddie Billy Foster at Augusta National.
Seve Ballesteros, left, of Spain and Gary Player of South Africa practice at the Augusta National Golf Club, April 6, 1988, preparing for Thursday's opening round of the Masters Golf Tournament.
Seve Ballesteros is shown clenching fist after sinking the winning putt in the Masters Golf tournament Monday, April 11, 1983 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Austusta, Ga.
Seve Ballesteros of Spain checks to see which club he will use during a practice round at the Augusta National Golf Club as he prepares for the Masters Golf Tournament, April 5, 1988.
Seve Ballesteros reacts after his team was defeated by Great Britian and Ireland in the Seve Trophy at The Heritage in Killenard, Ireland. (File photo, 2007)
Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez after the minute silence held in memory of Seve Ballesteros during the third round of the Spanish Open.
Seve Ballesteros, Captain of the European Team during the first day fourballs at the Seve Trophy 2007.
A bagpiper leads the funeral procession for Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, whose ashes are carried by oldest son Javier, with sister Carmen (left) and brother Miguel (right) joining the mourners Wednesday in Pedrena, Spain. Ballesteros, 54, a five-time major champion, died Saturday from complications of a cancerous brain tumor.
Baldomero Ballesteros, center, carries the urn holding the ashes of his brother, Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, during his funeral service in of Pedrena, Spain, Wednesday May 11, 2011.
Seve Ballesteros after winning the 1984 Open Championship.
Seve Ballesteros hits an iron off the tee during the U.S. Open golf tournament at Medinah Country Club in June 1990.
Australian Stuart Ginn, left, Spain's Seve Ballesteros, centre, and Australian Graham Marsh walk around the course at Muirfield, Scotland, on July 16, 1984, in preparation for the start of the British Open.
Severiano Ballesteros of Spain, tenderly kisses the British Open Golf Championship trophy, after his victory at Lytham St. Anne's, England, in this July 18, 1988 file photo.
Severiano Ballesteros, of Spain, holds the 1979 British Open trophy cup after winning with 283 at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's in Lancashire, England, on July 21, 1979.
Seve Ballesteros of Spain watches his drive on Tuesday, June 14, 1988 in Brookline, Mass. during a practice round at the Country Club, preparing for the start of the U.S. Open Championship June 16th at the course.

1981 Masters Tournament

Augusta National Archive

Augusta National Archive

Seve Ballesteros Wins 1983 Masters Tournament

Augusta National Archive

Severiano Ballesteros of Spain during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club 1980 in Augusta, Georgia.

The Open Championship

Augusta National Archive

Seve Ballesteros

Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros

108th Open Championship

U.S. Open 1990

Tony Jacklin and Seve Ballesteros

Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player

Seve Ballesteros

Jose Maria Olazaba

Masters 1988

Seve Ballesteros Masters 1989

Seve Ballesteros wins the 1979 British Open

Seve Ballesteros wins the 1979 British Open

Masters 1983

British Open 1988

Ginn, Ballesteros and Marsh

1985 Ryder Cup

Seve in 1987

1984 Open

Seve Ballesteros

1987 Ryder Cup

Seve

Seve Ballesteros in January 1996

Seve Ballesteros reacts

Seve Ballesteros U.S. Open 1988

1984 Open Championship

Seve Ballesteros

1983 Masters

Moment of silence

Seve's funeral

Seve's funeral

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