At just 19, Severiano 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

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

In 1983 Seve is handed his second Green Jacket from defending Masters champion Craig Stadler

The inspirational Ballesteros goes on to deny Tom Watson a sixth win in the Open with victory at St Andrews in 1984

He also wins the World Match Play in 1984 - one of his five victories in the once-prestigious Wentworth event

In 1987 Ballesteros and partner Jose Maria Olazabal are part of the European Ryder Cup side that wins on American soil for first time

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 and his partnership with Olazabal brings 11 wins, two halves and only two defeats

His proudest moment in the Ryder Cup comes in 1997 as he captains the 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

Injuries hamper his game before he returns to Augusta in 2007 after a four-year absence, but he shoots 86 and 80

With his career in serious decline 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