May 7 (Reuters) - Factbox on Spain's Seve Ballesteros, who died on Saturday.
* Born April 9, 1957 in Pedrena, Spain.
- One of four brothers who all went on to become golf professionals, he learned golf aged seven using a cut down three-iron on the beach near his home in Santander.
- After turning professional in 1974, he exploded on the international stage two years later by finishing joint second in the British Open at Royal Birkdale behind Johnny Miller.
- Won World Cup for first time in 1976 in partnership with Manuel Pinero.
- In 1979 he won the British Open by three shots at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the first of five major victories. He also won the British Open in 1984 and 1988 and the U.S. Masters in 1980 and 1983.
- Played a leading role as Europe beat the United States in the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1985, the first defeat for the Americans since 1957.
- Won his 50th and final European Tour title in 1995, the Spanish Open. His game was already showing signs of considerable decay and his driving became more and more wayward over the next few years as he struggled with a back problem.
- Captained Europe for the first time when they beat United States in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Spain. He skippered Continental Europe to victory over Britain and Ireland in the inaugural Seve Trophy in 2000 and also led Europe to a win over Asia in the first Royal Trophy in 2006.
- Having overcome arthritic back and knee problems, he made a first appearance on the European Tour in two years at the 2005 Madrid Open and in 2007 celebrated his 50th birthday by contemplating a return to competitive action on the U.S. Champions Tour. He returned to Europe after one event.
- In July 2007 he announced his retirement after a career that had yielded 87 tournament victories. He also collected 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches and became the first European Tour player to reach one million pounds ($1.64 million), two million pounds and three million pounds in career earnings.
- In October 2008, after a series of tests were carried out in a Madrid hospital, he announced he had a brain tumour the size of two golf balls and subsequently underwent four operations.
- Made his first public appearance in mid-2009, launching the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
- Was invited to play in the Champions Challenge at St Andrews before the 150th anniversary British Open last year but had to withdraw on the advice of doctors.
- Ballesteros was also advised not to travel to the first major of 2011 -- the U.S. Masters at Augusta in April.
* Born April 9, 1957 in Pedrena, Spain.
- One of four brothers who all went on to become golf professionals, he learned golf aged seven using a cut down three-iron on the beach near his home in Santander.
- After turning professional in 1974, he exploded on the international stage two years later by finishing joint second in the British Open at Royal Birkdale behind Johnny Miller.
- Won World Cup for first time in 1976 in partnership with Manuel Pinero.
- In 1979 he won the British Open by three shots at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the first of five major victories. He also won the British Open in 1984 and 1988 and the U.S. Masters in 1980 and 1983.
- Played a leading role as Europe beat the United States in the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1985, the first defeat for the Americans since 1957.
- Won his 50th and final European Tour title in 1995, the Spanish Open. His game was already showing signs of considerable decay and his driving became more and more wayward over the next few years as he struggled with a back problem.
- Captained Europe for the first time when they beat United States in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Spain. He skippered Continental Europe to victory over Britain and Ireland in the inaugural Seve Trophy in 2000 and also led Europe to a win over Asia in the first Royal Trophy in 2006.
- Having overcome arthritic back and knee problems, he made a first appearance on the European Tour in two years at the 2005 Madrid Open and in 2007 celebrated his 50th birthday by contemplating a return to competitive action on the U.S. Champions Tour. He returned to Europe after one event.
- In July 2007 he announced his retirement after a career that had yielded 87 tournament victories. He also collected 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches and became the first European Tour player to reach one million pounds ($1.64 million), two million pounds and three million pounds in career earnings.
- In October 2008, after a series of tests were carried out in a Madrid hospital, he announced he had a brain tumour the size of two golf balls and subsequently underwent four operations.
- Made his first public appearance in mid-2009, launching the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
- Was invited to play in the Champions Challenge at St Andrews before the 150th anniversary British Open last year but had to withdraw on the advice of doctors.
- Ballesteros was also advised not to travel to the first major of 2011 -- the U.S. Masters at Augusta in April.
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