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LONDON: Tributes poured in from the golfing world and beyond following the death of Seve Ballesteros at the age of 54, with Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood among those speaking of his talent and charisma, while IOC president Jacques Rogge called him a "once in a generation" athlete.
A selection of tributes to Spain's five-times major winner follows: Former World number one Tiger Woods: "I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros.
"I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the US Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game.
"His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon." — Twitter.
Jose Maria Olazabal: "What impressed me most in Seve was his strength, his fighting spirit and the passion he put into everything he did. I saw him for the last time the Saturday after the Masters. He was not well, but his head was clear. We talked about many things. So many common memories, and particularly about the Ryder Cup.
"The best tribute we can pay to Seve is to go on playing for him, although no tribute will ever do justice to everything he did for golf and to everything he gave us." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Miguel Angel Jimenez: "He was outstanding for his determination and his passion in everything he did. He never gave up, he always found a way out, and this was reflected in his personality.
"I have lived so many moments with him that it's hard to choose one. I would maybe highlight the 1997 Ryder Cup, where I was his assistant. It was a truly special week. I loved to watch him fulfill one of his dreams and enjoy it so much. Seve's passion for the Ryder Cup was unique." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
World No.1 Lee Westwood: "It's a sad day, lost an inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve." — Twitter.
European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady: "Seve's unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination.
"We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind The European Tour." — Statement.
Four-times major champion Phil Mickelson: "He's certainly had an impact on the game, but to me the greatest thing about Seve is his flair and his charisma. Because of the way he played the game of golf, you were drawn to him. You wanted to go watch him play. He had charisma and he kind of had so many shots that it was fun to watch him play." — Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina.
Davis Love III, the 2012 US Ryder Cup captain: "He was an icon in the game and somebody that I looked up to. I copied his swing. Everybody wanted to be as exciting and fun and flashy as Seve. Maybe hit a few more fairways, but everybody wanted that style. They wanted to be aggressive and able to play like that." — Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship.
Dave Musgrove, Seve's caddie for his first major victory at the 1979 British Open: "Seve was a hard task-master, very hard on his caddies. He was hard on himself as well, though. He was always off to find a battle somewhere.
"If he'd hit a bad shot he never dwelt on it. His shoulders never slumped. If he could see the ball and get a swing on it he'd never worry about it. And if he went in a bunker he looked upon it as an advantage." — Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher: "Every European Tour player today should thank Seve for what they're playing for. America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer — Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one." — European Tour website.
European Tour chief referee John Paramor, who famously clashed with Ballesteros at the Volvo Masters at Valderrama in 1995: "I had many a tussle with him... The most famous occasion was in 1995 at the 18th at Valderrama in the Volvo Masters when Seve's ball finished up in the roots of a tree. He claimed relief for his ball lying where a burrowing animal had been but I didn't agree. We 'discussed' it for about half an hour then he had to play the shot from where his ball lay. He never held a grudge against me for it.
"I had huge respect for him. Seve did so much for the European Tour in the way he played and promoted the game. There was an aura about the man." — Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
2010 European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie: "It's a great loss — for Spain, Europe and the world of golf. We may never see such a talent again. We've lost one of the great icons of the sport.
"But may we now celebrate Seve's life? It's only right that we should. I played with him many times and it was an honor to play under him in the Ryder Cup. What a character and what a passionate man.
"There are a lot of guys out here swinging golf clubs because of Seve. This tour would not have the strength and depth that it has if it were not for him." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero: "I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of Severiano Ballesteros, one of the finest golfers of all time and a legend in world sport.
"Severiano represented a beginning and an end in the history of Spanish sport: his example paved the way for the extraordinary success our sport is currently enjoying.
"He was the mirror which Spanish athletes who have reached the pinnacle of world sport looked into. Severiano was loved and respected for his great charisma and strength, which he showed until the very end of his life." — Statement.
IOC President Jacques Rogge: "Seve Ballesteros was a man of incredible skill, charisma and courage as a sportsman, and the dignified way that he fought against the disease was characteristic of the man and was an inspiration to us all.
"He was a 'once in a generation athlete' in his sport, and his influence on the game will live long after him.
"On behalf of the Olympic Movement I would like to send our condolences to his family but also our huge appreciation for the life of a remarkable man." — Statement.
PGA of America President Allen Wronowski: "In every generation, there appears one performer in sport who stands out above another for more than just ability alone. Seve Ballesteros, the gallant warrior from Pedrena, Spain, was the ultimate competitor. We were fortunate to have had him choose golf, where he did more than win championships, but proudly became an ambassador for our sport's global appeal.
"Seve played with a rare combination of talent and heart, and his intensity endeared him to his teammates in the Ryder Cup, a competition that elevated his talent and leadership. As long as the pipes may play to call teams together for the Ryder Cup, they will play for Seve. We shall miss him dearly, and we mourn with his family and his many friends and fans throughout the world."
A selection of tributes to Spain's five-times major winner follows: Former World number one Tiger Woods: "I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros.
"I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the US Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game.
"His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon." — Twitter.
Jose Maria Olazabal: "What impressed me most in Seve was his strength, his fighting spirit and the passion he put into everything he did. I saw him for the last time the Saturday after the Masters. He was not well, but his head was clear. We talked about many things. So many common memories, and particularly about the Ryder Cup.
"The best tribute we can pay to Seve is to go on playing for him, although no tribute will ever do justice to everything he did for golf and to everything he gave us." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Miguel Angel Jimenez: "He was outstanding for his determination and his passion in everything he did. He never gave up, he always found a way out, and this was reflected in his personality.
"I have lived so many moments with him that it's hard to choose one. I would maybe highlight the 1997 Ryder Cup, where I was his assistant. It was a truly special week. I loved to watch him fulfill one of his dreams and enjoy it so much. Seve's passion for the Ryder Cup was unique." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
World No.1 Lee Westwood: "It's a sad day, lost an inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend. Seve made European golf what it is today. RIP Seve." — Twitter.
European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady: "Seve's unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination.
"We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind The European Tour." — Statement.
Four-times major champion Phil Mickelson: "He's certainly had an impact on the game, but to me the greatest thing about Seve is his flair and his charisma. Because of the way he played the game of golf, you were drawn to him. You wanted to go watch him play. He had charisma and he kind of had so many shots that it was fun to watch him play." — Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina.
Davis Love III, the 2012 US Ryder Cup captain: "He was an icon in the game and somebody that I looked up to. I copied his swing. Everybody wanted to be as exciting and fun and flashy as Seve. Maybe hit a few more fairways, but everybody wanted that style. They wanted to be aggressive and able to play like that." — Speaking at Quail Hollow Championship.
Dave Musgrove, Seve's caddie for his first major victory at the 1979 British Open: "Seve was a hard task-master, very hard on his caddies. He was hard on himself as well, though. He was always off to find a battle somewhere.
"If he'd hit a bad shot he never dwelt on it. His shoulders never slumped. If he could see the ball and get a swing on it he'd never worry about it. And if he went in a bunker he looked upon it as an advantage." — Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher: "Every European Tour player today should thank Seve for what they're playing for. America had Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer — Seve was our Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus rolled into one." — European Tour website.
European Tour chief referee John Paramor, who famously clashed with Ballesteros at the Volvo Masters at Valderrama in 1995: "I had many a tussle with him... The most famous occasion was in 1995 at the 18th at Valderrama in the Volvo Masters when Seve's ball finished up in the roots of a tree. He claimed relief for his ball lying where a burrowing animal had been but I didn't agree. We 'discussed' it for about half an hour then he had to play the shot from where his ball lay. He never held a grudge against me for it.
"I had huge respect for him. Seve did so much for the European Tour in the way he played and promoted the game. There was an aura about the man." — Told Reuters at the Spanish Open.
2010 European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie: "It's a great loss — for Spain, Europe and the world of golf. We may never see such a talent again. We've lost one of the great icons of the sport.
"But may we now celebrate Seve's life? It's only right that we should. I played with him many times and it was an honor to play under him in the Ryder Cup. What a character and what a passionate man.
"There are a lot of guys out here swinging golf clubs because of Seve. This tour would not have the strength and depth that it has if it were not for him." — Told reporters at Spanish Open.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero: "I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of Severiano Ballesteros, one of the finest golfers of all time and a legend in world sport.
"Severiano represented a beginning and an end in the history of Spanish sport: his example paved the way for the extraordinary success our sport is currently enjoying.
"He was the mirror which Spanish athletes who have reached the pinnacle of world sport looked into. Severiano was loved and respected for his great charisma and strength, which he showed until the very end of his life." — Statement.
IOC President Jacques Rogge: "Seve Ballesteros was a man of incredible skill, charisma and courage as a sportsman, and the dignified way that he fought against the disease was characteristic of the man and was an inspiration to us all.
"He was a 'once in a generation athlete' in his sport, and his influence on the game will live long after him.
"On behalf of the Olympic Movement I would like to send our condolences to his family but also our huge appreciation for the life of a remarkable man." — Statement.
PGA of America President Allen Wronowski: "In every generation, there appears one performer in sport who stands out above another for more than just ability alone. Seve Ballesteros, the gallant warrior from Pedrena, Spain, was the ultimate competitor. We were fortunate to have had him choose golf, where he did more than win championships, but proudly became an ambassador for our sport's global appeal.
"Seve played with a rare combination of talent and heart, and his intensity endeared him to his teammates in the Ryder Cup, a competition that elevated his talent and leadership. As long as the pipes may play to call teams together for the Ryder Cup, they will play for Seve. We shall miss him dearly, and we mourn with his family and his many friends and fans throughout the world."
