At just 19, Ballesteros is thrust into the spotlight with second spot in the 1976 Open at Royal Birkdale
Three years later the charismatic Spaniard clinches his first major in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes, a title that will always be remembered for a wondrous recovery shot from a car park
He becomes the youngest winner of the Open in the 20th century with a three-shot victory over Jack Nicklaus and Ben Crenshaw
Seve also triumphs in his next major appearance - the 1980 Masters - to become the first European winner at Augusta
The inspirational Ballesteros also wins the Masters in 1983 before going on to deny Tom Watson a sixth Open title with victory at St Andrews in 1984, sparking a famous celebration
Ballesteros is instrumental in the renaissance of the Ryder Cup as Europe, expanded from Great Britain and Ireland in 1979, break the 28-year US stranglehold in 1985
Two years later Ballesteros wins the singles match that seals Ryder Cup victory for Europe for the first time on American soil, in Muirfield Village, Ohio
A stunning closing 65 at Lytham is enough to beat Nick Price as Seve wins his third Open and final major in 1988
Seve competes in eight Ryder Cups in all and his partnership with countryman Jose Maria Olazabal brings 11 wins, two halves and only two defeats
His proudest moment in the Ryder Cup comes in 1997 as he captains the European side in the first-ever match on Spanish soil
Ballesteros's Europeans successfully defend the Ryder Cup at Valderrama to crown his involvement in the event
In 2000, Ballesteros helps create the Seve Trophy, a biennial team competition between Great Britain & Ireland and Europe, with Colin Montgomerie as his opposite number
Ballesteros leads Europe to victory at Sunningdale and in 2006, he does the same in the inaugural Royal Trophy against Asia in Thailand
Despite his successful stints at captaincy, his playing career is in serious decline and he announces his decision to retire ahead of the Open at Carnoustie in July 2007
Seve is admitted to hospital on 6 October 2008 after losing consciousness and is diagnosed with a brain tumour six days later
Ballesteros, who needed four operations in total, has now launched a cancer foundation to help others and is hoping to make a farewell appearance at the 2010 Open at St Andrews
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