The Open anniversaries: Seve Ballesteros' maiden major, 40 years on

By Ali Stafford

The Open heads back to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel.

Only one player from continental Europe has won The Open on multiple occasions, with this year’s contest marking the 40th anniversary of Seve Ballesteros’ breakthrough major victory.

The Open: Latest news

Latest news ahead of The 148th Open.

Ballesteros registered five major titles during a glittering career that saw him also win a record-breaking 50 European Tor titles, with his first Open success coming at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1979.

This is a limited version of the story so unfortunately this content is not available.
Open the full version

The Spaniard finished runner-up in 1976 as a 19-year-old at Royal Birkdale, before going one better three years later to become the youngest Champion Golfer of the 20th century.

Image: Ballesteros was the only player to end the week under par in 1979

Ballesteros bounced back from a two-over 73 on Thursday to birdie four of the last five holes of his second round to post a round-of-the-day 65 and getting within two shots of the halfway lead.

A 75 during the third round matched the total of 36-hole leader Hale Irwin and kept the gap at two heading into Sunday, where Ballesteros produced a moment of magic at the 16th on his way to victory.

Advertisement

Live At The Open - 15/07/2019

Ballesteros hit his drive so far right that it found an overspill car park some 60 yards right of the fairway, where he was given relief and knocked his pitch to 20 feet before holing out for the most unlikely of birdies.

Image: Ballesteros played alongside Hale Irwin on the final day

With victory in Ballesteros' hands, he then scrambled a par at the 17th and then tapped in at the last to close out a one-under 70, giving him a three-shot victory over Ben Crenshaw and Jack Nicklaus.

Also See:

The Open 2019 Countdown: Live

Ballesteros went on to lift the Claret Jug again in 1984 before winning The Open for a third time when the tournament returned to Royal Lytham in 1988.

Watch The 148th Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports' dedicated channel! Live coverage begins with "Live at The Open" on Monday from 4pm on Sky Sports The Open.

Outbrain