The memory of Seve Ballesteros will be very present in the 39th edition of the Ryder Cup, which is being held this week at Medinah Country Club, in Chicago. José Mari Olazábal, the European Captain, has wanted to pay tribute to his friend and mentor by embroidering on the bags of each member of his team the unmistakable silhouette that symbolizes Ballesteros’ triumph in the 1984 British Open at St. Andrews.
José Mari Olazábal: “It is the first time that Seve will not be with us physically, although he will be with us in spirit, and I thought this is the best way to honor a great champion but, above all, a great friend, who will be with us in every step we take.
Seve played a decisive role in the Ryder Cup since he joined the team in 1979. He was always present even in the last edition in 2010, when he spoke on the phone with the players.
He will be a wonderful example for generations of golfers to come. I have a lot of memories of the moments I had with him, especially in the Ryder Cup. I think the best tribute we can pay him is to play for him, and his figure will be with us throughout the week.
Seve always said that that image with his fist in the air shouting “I got it, I got it”, when he won in the cradle of golf, at St. Andrews, was the happiest moment of his life”.
Ballesteros used his silhouette as the official logo of his companies and even tattooed it on his left forearm. He participated in eight editions of the Ryder Cup, scoring 22 ½ points in 37 matches played, including 11 wins and two draws in the 15 matches he played alongside Olazábal.
The silhouette of Seve Ballesteros is embroidered on two parts of the bag of each member of the European team: on the front above the player’s name, in black on white; and on the back in the compartment where the balls are stored, in white on a black background.
Seve Ballesteros passed away on May 7, 2011 due to a brain tumor. His career was spectacular, he won 93 titles around the world, 50 of them on the European Tour, winning five Majors: three victories in the British Open and two in the Augusta Masters.
Ryder Cup Facts
From the first edition of the Ryder Cup held in 1927 in Worcester (Massachusetts), to the last one held in 2010 in Celtic Manor (Wales), the United States has achieved 25 victories to 11 for Great Britain/Europe, having tied on two occasions.
Since 1979, when the continental players (the first were Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido) became part of the team, since then called Europe, our team has won eight times to seven American victories and one draw.
Since 1995, Europe has won six of the last eight editions, with four being decided by a single point lead (14 ½ – 13 ½), including the last one in 2010.
In the 21st century, Europe has won four of the five editions of the Ryder Cup since 2002; the U.S. team only won in 2008. Of all the editions that have taken place on U.S. soil since 1979, the home team has won 5, to 3 by the Europeans.
United States: Captain Davis Love III
Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods.
Vice Captains: Fred Couples, Mike Hulbert, Jeff Sluman and Scott Verplank.
Europe: Captain José Mari Olazábal
Nicolas Colsaerts, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.
Vice Captains: Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Paul McGinley.
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