SPANISH GOLFERS will have extra motivation to win in Seville on Sunday with this week’s European Tour event marking the 100th birthday of their national open and the first anniversary of the death of the great Seve Ballesteros.
French man Arnaud Massy triumphed when the inaugural Spanish Open was staged in Madrid in 1912 and Ryder Cup stalwart Miguel Angel Jimenez spoke for all of his countrymen when he talked about the importance of the tournament. “The Spanish Open is very special to us Spanish players,” the 48-year-old said. “It is a big week and of course we will all have thoughts about Seve and how we miss him.”
Ballesteros, who died last year at the age of 54 after a long battle with brain cancer, began his career at the 1974 Spanish Open before going on to claim five Majors and 87 tournament victories. He also collected 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches, many in his brilliant combination with compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal.
Ballesteros, at 17 years and eight days, became the youngest professional to play in a European Tour event when he competed in his national open in 1974 – a record that still stands. Rafael Cabrera-Bello, the only Spaniard to triumph on this season’s circuit at the Dubai Desert Classic in February, echoed Jimenez’s thoughts. “Seve and Jose Maria are the reason I play golf,” said the 27-year-old. “They were my idols when I was young and still are.
“Spanish golf is on a high with Sergio Garcia winning twice at the end of last year, Alvaro Quiros winning twice in Dubai last season and me winning this year.”
South African Thomas Aiken won last year’s Spanish Open and dedicated his first European Tour victory to Ballesteros who died on the Saturday of the event.
Paul Lawrie has a golden opportunity this week to move a big step closer to his first Ryder Cup cap for 13 years. But the 43-year-old Scot did not have the greatest of starts yesterday.
“Today has been great fun,” Lawrie said on his website: “Four-thirty alarm to catch the 6.40am flight to Heathrow, then onto Madrid. I missed the connection to Seville by 15 minutes, next flight seven hours later. Aarrgghhh – the joys of travel eh?”
With Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose on a week off, the former British Open champion can leap from fifth to second on the cup points table, leaving only Rory McIlroy ahead of him.
There is a six-man Irish contingent in action in Seville: Michael Hoey, Peter Lawrie, Shane Lowry, Damien McGrane, Gareth Maybin and Simon Thornton.
WELLS FARGO
Course: Quail Hollow, North Carolina.
Prize money: €4.9 million (€889,598 to the winner)
Length: 7,469 yards. Par: 72. Field: 156.
The layout:Tight with three-inch rough and undulating Bentgrass greens – a real US Open-style test – which usually attracts a top-class field. The closing three holes are particularly tough and known as the Green Mile.
Last year: Lucas Glover beat Jonathan Byrd at the first play-off hole after Bryd drove into a hazard.
Type of player suited to challenge: Accuracy is more important than power.
Key attribute: Touch.
Weather forecast:Warm but cloudy and light winds.
On TV:Sky Sports from 8pm tonight.
