Ballesteros & Olazabal: one mind

Seve was the Pied Piper and the rest of our major champions followed his path with enthusiasm and gusto. He was the inspiration for a whole generation.

Ewen Murray
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My column this week is a sombre one as two of my idols fight to continue their lives and careers.

Reports from Madrid that Severiano Ballesteros Sota is having tests to find out why he collapsed at Barajas Airport last week are at the very least, worrying. Over the weekend, our worst fears were confirmed as Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Seve has been in poor health for a while now and my wish is that the talented doctors of the La Paz hospital in the Spanish capital are able to find a cure.

I first met Seve at the European Under 25 event somewhere near the Swiss border in the mid 70s. Seve was 16 years old. He came onto the tee and I honestly thought he was the caddie!

He had a few clubs that did not come from the same set and his shoes were decidedly dodgy. After three holes, I knew I was in the company of greatness and so it proved to be. In the next twenty years, he would win 87 times including five majors.

During that time, I got to know Seve well. I adored the times I partnered him in tournaments. I marvelled at his golfing genius and witnessed some shots I did not think were possible, but more than anything else, I cherished my time in his company.

When the European Tour decided to go it alone at the start of the seventies, they were difficult times and for the first few years, it was touch and go. But then along came the magical, mercurial Spaniard and our Tour was at the beginning of a golden period.

He effectively opened the doors to the PGA Tour for his and the next era of European players. The Ryder Cup was dying on its feet until he injected his charisma, talent and flair. In short, he did for Europe what Arnold Palmer did for America.

Having won our Open at Royal Lytham in 1979, Seve was the Pied Piper and the rest of our major champions followed his path with enthusiasm and gusto. He was the inspiration for a whole generation.

It was a time where technique was unimportant and natural ability was everything. At golf clubs up and down the country, youngsters would copy his every move. Every time he teed the ball up, he would add class to the event he was playing in and he was adopted by every British fan.

The more they would want, the more he gave them. The memories of those who were lucky enough to witness his brilliance will stay fresh forever. He was the greatest shot maker I have seen.

Chema

His close friend, Jose Maria Olazabal has also had health problems over the last decade. In the mid nineties, he would crawl from the bedroom to the bathroom as he was in the grip of a form of arthritis.

Through the expertise of the excellent German doctor, Hans Mueller Wolfhart, 'Chema' returned to the fairways of Dubai in 1998 to take one of his 23 European Tour titles. The following year he would win his second Masters at Augusta.

Like Seve, he was so much part of the Ryder Cup during the period where Europe dominated. When they were paired together, they became one mind. They were invincible and their confidence and camaraderie rubbed off on their team mates.

They joined forces on 15 occasions and amassed 12 points, far and above the best record since the event began in 1927.

At Valhalla last month, Jose Maria gave the team speech before the singles on Sunday. It came from the heart and reduced a couple of players to tears. When his time comes, he will be as good a captain as he was a team member.

Last week at Club de Campo, Olazabal returned to the game after another spell of ill health and proved he still has the will to compete and the desire to succeed. Given a clear run, this consummate professional will have many great golfing days ahead of him.

I am not overly religious, but my prayers are for my two amigos to enjoy good health again, for they are not just friends, they are my heroes.

World Tour

My thanks again for your responses to last weeks' column.

Scott Beaumont thought that it would be an idea for the PGA Tour and the European Tour to amalgamate and therefore give us a real world Tour that follows the sun.

Decent idea Scott, but both Tours are now huge in their own right and that won't happen. I do however think that in these difficult financial times, sponsorship will become tougher and both Tours will have enforced off seasons.

That could mean we will see more American players here for a spell in the year and our own top players will continue to play their allocated 15 events to keep their US Tour cards. 'The Race to Dubai' will be interesting and may fashion changes in players' schedules. We will see.

Certainly, Simon Rourke wants to see more of fellow "lefty" Phil Mickelson on the European Tour and Simon, it might just happen.

Bryan Tyson wondered why St. Andrews was chosen every five years as the venue for our Open. Bryan questioned the vast fairway that houses both the first and 18th holes and the fact it is difficult for spectators to get a decent view all the way round. I don't disagree Bryan, but the history of the home of golf is the reason.

Some would even say the Open should be like Wimbledon or the Masters and be played there every year. I think its fine the way it is and that we are fortunate to have so much choice of wonderful Links courses.

Tired

Steven Standage thought Padraig Harrington would win majors and is now tipping Ross Fisher to be the next Englishman to win one of golf's elite championships. As you know Steven, I'm with you on that thought and Malachy Wylie noticed that in most interviews, Padraig talks of tiredness.

The effort to win a major is enormous and by winning two in a month, I think Padraig should have skipped the Fed-Ex Cup and returned home to share his glorious victories with his own folk. That is only my opinion.

One thing I will say is that Harrington has more majors in him. It's important he picks the correct schedule over the next five years. He is intelligent and I think he will go down that route.

Portugal is the next stop for our Sky Sports cameras this week, comprehensive coverage begins from Thursday.