Ballesteros is angry at his treatment

Seve Ballesteros has been criticised by some of European golf's biggest names after his disqualification from the Italian Open.

The Spaniard was kicked out of the competition for refusing to accept a one-stroke penalty for slow play.

Ballesteros signed for an incorrect third-round score, was disqualified and then launched a bitter attack on European Tour executive director Ken Schofield.

He claimed bosses are pursuing a vendetta against him after he, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal queried Tour finances in 2000.

But Sam Torrance, Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain last year, said Ballesteros's allegation "defies belief".

Why is he fighting everybody? He should sit back and bask in his glory Padraig Harrington on Ballesteros

Speaking on the eve of the B&H International Open at The Belfry, Torrance said: "Seve was a fantastic player and he made our Tour. He is the Arnold Palmer of Europe.

"But it was sad to see him respond with stuff that isn't true."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington said: "There is not a player who wouldn't give an arm to have had the career he has had.

"Why is he fighting everybody? He should sit back and think about his career - he should bask in his glory."

Censure

Langer was also saddened by Ballesteros's latest outburst against officialdom.

He said: "When you do stuff the way he did, it is just not right.

"Seve breached the rules. He altered his card intentionally, and that's a serious breach.

"He knew he would be ejected from the tournament."

On the subject of Ballesteros's claims, the German added: "I told Ken Schofield that I don't feel the way Seve feels."

Ballesteros could face censure after a meeting of the Tournament Players Committee next week during the Deutsche Bank Open in Hamburg.