Ballesteros: Sent letter to past champions
It was great to hear from Seve, if only through a letter. It was very emotional. He obviously misses being here.
Bernhard Langer on Seve Ballesteros' absence
Also see
A letter from Seve Ballesteros and read out by Jose Maria Olazabal at the annual Masters dinner has triggered great emotion among past champions.
Ballesteros, battling a brain tumour in his native Spain, couldn't make it to the Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday for the past champions dinner.
But he was there in spirit, thanks to a letter he sent to the group, and read out by countryman Olazabal toward the end of the night's festivities.
Those in attendance didn't offer specifics about what was in the letter, and Olazabal refused to discuss it, saying the letter "was intended only for the past champions."
However, they did admit to some strong emotions when Olazabal read it.
"It was great to hear from Seve, if only through a letter," Bernhard Langer said. "It was very emotional. He obviously misses being here. Seve has been a big part of this tournament and hopefully, he will be back next year. He's obviously a fighter."
Mark O'Meara said the letter was "very touching and very professional on Seve's part."
"He's having a tough go of it, but he's a great champion of worldwide golf, and he was a great champion here. What he's battling is the battle of his life."
Arnold Palmer said the letter "expressed his fighting spirit." Palmer said he recorded a message for Ballesteros that will be played on the CBS broadcast of the Masters sometime on the weekend.
