Skip to content
Sign inOpen the app
This Golfing Life

3. Seve Ballesteros: Golf's Maverick Genius Up Close

April 2 · 1 hr 6 min
0:00-1:06:29

Streams straight from the publisher. podnod never proxies or re-hosts episode audio.

Open in podnod

This special Masters week episode celebrates the extraordinary golfing life of Seve Ballesteros, one of the most charismatic and talented players in golf history. Join us as distinguished guests Robert Green, David Cannon and Mike Clayton share their personal encounters, insights, and iconic moments that define Seve's enduring legacy.

Main Topics

  • Seve's innovative playing style and creative shot-making

  • Key moments from his career including Open wins and Masters triumphs

  • Seve's impact on European golf and the Ryder Cup revolution

  • Personal stories from photographers, journalists, and competitors

  • The enduring charisma and personality that made Seve a beloved figure worldwide

In this episode:

  • The significance of Seve's 1976 Open run at Royal Birkdale and his rise to international fame

  • Details behind his most famous wins, including the 1979 Open, the 1980 Masters and 1984 Open

  • The story of his near-miss at the 1986 Masters and the emotional impact

  • Behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his close relationships with journalists and photographers

  • His memorable final appearances at The Open and how he was loved globally

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction to this week's guests

02:44 David Cannon on playing with a young Seve in 1976

08:00 Car Park Champion: Seve wins his first major, the 1979 Open at Lytham

11:57 Seve: An elite driver of the ball

13:25 Why Seve loved Augusta National

14:26 Seve’s uncle Ramon Sota and his Masters appearances

15:16 Seve's background and start in golf

17:02 Seve finds life tough in the US

18:11 1980: Seve wins the Masters

19:43 Tuning up in Australia in 1983

20:42 Seve wins the 1983 Masters

23:13 Seve miracles at the 1983 Ryder Cup

27:33 Seve's greatest moment: the 1984 Open at St Andrews

31:53 Seve's heartbreak at the 1986 Masters

40:32 1987: a year of lows and highs

44:21 Getting to know Seve  – personal insights

48:27 1988: Seve's fifth and final major win

51:23 A memorable trip to visit Seve at home

56:20 Seve's miracle shot at Crans in 1993

59:39 Summing up Seve

01:01:41 Seve's Open farewell: 2006 at Royal Liverpool


Resources & Links:

Sounder Golf

Dan Davies on Seve

Seve Ballesteros Official Foundation

Golf Digest - Seve's Iconic Shots

1980 Masters - Classic Footage

1986 Masters Final Round Highlights

1988 Open: Seve's fifth major (Official Film)

RNGC on Instagram

RNGC: Sacred Acre newsletter (Dan Davies)


Connect with the Guests:

Celebrating Seve's spirit, talent, and enduring inspiration for golfers around the world.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices