Young Spanish genius broke US hearts and inspired Europe
‘THE AMERICANS WERE A BIT JEALOUS’
SEVE BALLESTEROS arrived at Augusta National 40 years ago today at the start of a week which changed Masters history – and infuriated the Americans.
Opening with a sensational 66, the swashbuckling Spaniard led after every round to become the first European to don a Green Jacket.
But it was not only a coup for a vibrant young gun. Seve’s 1980 Masters triumph also ushered in a golden age of European domination at the first Major of the season.
With legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer playing together in the final round, the home crowd had not come to see only the second nonAmerican, after South African Gary Player, claim the title.
Former amateur star Peter McEvoy recalled: “I was staying with my American in-laws at the time and I was still in Augusta in a sulk after missing the cut.
“My former father-in-law went for the last day but he arrived back at about 3pm, saying, ‘It’s not much of a tournament this year’.
“It was because he was American and he hated the fact this European upstart was dominating his players.
“It was putting off the American audience because they were so upset about it. To have the most glamorous, longest-hitting, best player dominating them was not something they particularly enjoyed.”
Crowd pleaser Ballesteros – who was celebrating his 23rd birthday that week – did his best to keep the audience entertained on Sunday.
He turned a 10-shot lead at the turn into a three-shot advantage by putting two balls in the water before winning by four from Jack Newton and Gibby Gilbert.
At his winner’s press conference, he admitted saying to himself mid-round: “What are you doing? You are very stupid.”
But Ballesteros, who died of a brain tumour nine years ago, said in 2006 it was more the US players than the crowds who resented his success – and made his win even sweeter. “They were kind of a bit jealous,” said the Spanish magician, who would have turned 63 this Thursday.
“I heard several times in the locker room, ‘Here comes the Spaniard to take our money’.
“It was always a pleasure to beat the Americans because they have a better tour, better quality of golf courses, more opportunities and on paper they’re supposed to be better.
“So any time you win in America, you must feel great. But I have nothing against the Americans, I love that country.”
At the age of 23 years and four days, Ballesteros became the youngest Masters winner until 21-year-old Tiger Woods broke his record in 1997.
But he had paved the way, with the next two decades being ruled by Europeans following in his inspirational footsteps after his second Green Jacket triumph in 1983.
“It certainly opened the floodgates for others like myself, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam,” said 1988 champion Sandy Lyle.
“We were all about the same age. So it was like, ‘If Seve can do it at Augusta, we have all got a good chance’. His Masters wins started the momentum for our dominance for a few years.”