“Without wishing to seem arrogant, I think that my victory in the Masters in 1980 was crucial for European golf because my fellow players saw that the door to America had opened up for them. I'm sure that players who had beaten me on the European Tour told themselves, 'Well, if Seve can do it, so can I.'”

Spanish professional golfer

Severiano Ballesteros Sota was a Spanish professional golfer, active from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He became World No. 1 and was one of the leading figures in the sport during that period. He won 89 international tournaments, including five major championships between 1979 and 1988. He claimed The Open Championship three times and the Masters Tournament twice. He first drew wide attention in 1976, when he finished second at The Open at age 19. He also played a major part in the revival of European golf and helped the European Ryder Cup team to five wins as both a player and captain.