Fourteen years have passed since his death, but the legacy of a legend continues to echo through fairways, gym sessions, and Ryder Cup locker rooms alike. “My hero, our hero, and inspiration ❤️🇪🇺🏆,” wrote LIV golfer Ian Poulter in an emotional Instagram tribute. “14 years ago we lost you, but your legacy will live on forever. 👊🏼💪🏼🙌🏼” The post, simple but stirring, didn’t need to name the icon at its center. Those who know the game already know.

He was the swashbuckling Spaniard who redefined European golf, won three Open Championships and two Masters, and became the spiritual heartbeat of the Ryder Cup team. Even now, he remains a symbol of bold shot-making and unrelenting passion: Seve Ballesteros. Poulter’s admiration for Ballesteros runs deep, rooted in their shared passion, especially during the Ryder Cup.

This was evident in the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Poulter played a key role in Europe’s comeback, with the team honoring Seve by wearing his colors and displaying his silhouette. Poulter further preserved Seve’s legacy by launching the 2012 Ryder Cup Seve Tribute Box Set, which honored Seve’s memory and supported the Seve Ballesteros Foundation for Cancer Research UK, reflecting Seve’s lasting impact on Poulter and the golfing world.

Ballesteros died at his home in Spain on May 7, 2011, at the age of 54 after a battle with brain cancer. But even 14 years later, his influence shows no sign of fading. The European Ryder Cup team, which he once led to victory as both a player and captain, also paid its respects with a social media post: “14 years ago today we lost one of the greats, Seve Ballesteros.”

Yet perhaps the most heartfelt remembrance came from Seve’s son, Javier Ballesteros, who shared a poignant moment from their life together. “14 years today…!” he wrote alongside a childhood photo with his father. Reflecting on their time in the early 2000s, Javier recalled being just 10 years old and tagging along with his dad to the gym at the crack of dawn, around 6:30 a.m., before school. At the time, it simply felt like father-son bonding. But with the wisdom of hindsight, Javier now sees it for what it was: a window into his father’s relentless discipline and drive.

Despite all the accolades—World No. 1, major champion, Ryder Cup warrior—Seve never coasted. Even as his game began to fade, he kept showing up, kept grinding. Javier noted that while his father’s golf résumé was legendary, it was his unwavering work ethic that left the deepest impression. And more importantly, he said, Seve was an even greater dad than he was a golfer.

That’s high praise for a man whose golf game shook continents. His legacy, however, extends far beyond trophies and titles. It lives in the hearts of players who grew up watching his daring style and fearless spirit. And no group carries that torch more proudly than the generation of Spanish stars now making their mark on the game.

How Ballesteros inspired Spain’s modern greats: Jon Rahm & Sergio Garcia

Seve Ballesteros didn’t just inspire fans; he laid the groundwork for generations of Spanish talent. Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia—two of the most successful Spanish golfers in the modern era—have often credited Seve as their idol.

For Rahm, the connection is personal and powerful. After winning the 2021 U.S. Open, Rahm said, “I’m a proud Spaniard, and to do it on Father’s Day makes it even more special. This is for Seve. He’s always been a huge influence on me.” The victory came on the 40th anniversary of Ballesteros’s first major win. This connection was profoundly evident during the 2023 Masters Tournament. After a rocky start—four-putting the opening hole—Rahm turned to Ballesteros for comfort and clarity. He recalled Seve’s words after enduring the same fate: “I remembered Seve’s quote. I think it was here at the Masters, right, when he four-putted,” Rahm said. “I miss, I miss, I miss, I make.”

Sergio Garcia, too, honored Ballesteros after his 2017 Masters win—a victory that fell on what would have been Seve’s 60th birthday. “This is for Seve,” Garcia said. “He was such a special person, and I owe him a lot.”

From green jackets to tearful tributes, the legend of Ballesteros is stitched into every Spanish flag flying on a leaderboard—proof that while Seve may be gone, he never truly left the game.