Pod: We owe it to Seve

Harrington: Give Seve something back

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Padraig Harrington believes Seve Ballesteros should have been used more by the European Tour to help promote the sport.

Ballesteros is now recuperating at home following four operations on a brain tumour that was discovered in October, prompting accolades from all those within the game.

And Harrington says it is only during such difficult times that people realise how important the legendary Spaniard is to the sport, having done so much during the 1980s to bring golf to the people.

"It is a shame that in recent years Seve has not been leading out the European Tour as an ambassador," the dual 2008 Major winner told the Sunday Express.

"He has that charisma and just needs to enter a room for everyone to know he is there.

"It's only when something like this happens that you see how much he is missed, so I hope the Tour can build more of a relationship with him and have him at the forefront of our Tour.

"It is only now that you recognise that an opportunity has been missed to give something back to him."

Ballesteros will absent from next month's Royal Trophy in Bangkok - a team event which he helped inaugurate three years ago - while he undergoes chemotherapy.

The 51-year-old won the Open Championship three times and the Masters twice during a career that made him a household name.