Reflections on Seve: Top Players Remember His Life

By golfdigest.com

May 07, 2011

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1979 Open"Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game. His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon." --Tiger Woods

1980 Masters"He was the original get-out-of-jail artist." --Mark McNulty

1980 Masters"There were very few players who you could simply call by a name. He was one of those guys. He was a name all around the world. His skills were maybe unmatched by anybody." --Hale Irwin

1983 Masters"Seve wore his emotions on his sleeve. You could see how much the guy cared about winning." --Johnny Miller

1984 Open"The biggest highlight of his personality was his strength, his fighting spirit and his passion for everything he did. ... The best homage we can pay him is to continue playing, but I don't think any of the homages we make will ever be sufficient enough after everything he's done for golf." --Jose Maria Olazabal

1988 British Open"It was his creativity, his imagination, and his desire to compete that made him so popular not only in Europe but throughout American galleries, too. He was a great entertainer. No matter the golf that particular day, you always knew you were going to be entertained. Seve's enthusiasm was just unmatched by anybody I think that ever played the game." --Jack Nicklaus

1988 British Open"The thing that really stands out about him is his determination ... and his passion for everything that he did. He never gave up and always looked for (the shot) or way out, and that reflected his personality." --Miguel Angel Jimenez

1988 British Open"We are looking at a top artist, the king of European golf, if you like, for many years. He brought excitement into the European game as Arnold Palmer did into the American game. Everybody drew another breath when he played. It was like watching a masterpiece." --Howard Clark

1995 Ryder Cup"Seve Ballesteros was a man of incredible skill, charisma and courage as a sportsman, and the dignified way that he fought against the disease was characteristic of the man and was an inspiration to us all. He was a 'once in a generation athlete' in his sport, and his influence on the game will live long after him." --Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee

1995 Ryder Cup"For golf, he was the greatest show on earth." --Nick Faldo

1997 Ryder Cup"There were very few players who you could simply call by a name. He was one of those guys. He was a name all around the world. His skills were maybe unmatched by anybody." --Hale Irwin

1997 Ryder Cup"This is such a very sad day for all who love golf. Seve's unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination. We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind the European Tour." --George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour

2006 Open"Spectators around the world enjoyed watching Seve, but talking to a lot of the players, he made such an impression on them the way he played, and the way he was such a beautiful, natural talent. His hands on the club. His address position. He had an unbelievable way of telegraphing through his countenance what he was going to do with the ball. It was just like an artist." --Ben Crenshaw

2007 Royal Trophy"America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one. You can't speak too highly of him. Seve was Europe's best ever player." --Bernard Gallacher

2007 Seve Trophy"You always knew when Seve walked in a room even if you had your back to him. He oozed charisma and brought a whole new meaning to aura." --Lee Westwood

2007 Seve Trophy"He never backed down from a challenge. The world of golf has lost one of its greatest heroes." --Ernie Els

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Reflections on Seve: Top Players Remember His Life

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