RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
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Seve Ballesteros was undoubtedly one of the very best golfers to have ever graced the professional game.
However, Ballesteros made surprisingly few starts out in America on the PGA Tour.
Aside from the majors, the Spaniard played in just 64 PGA Tour tournaments.
In fairness, the European Tour (now known as the DP World Tour) was a real powerhouse during the prime years of Seve Ballesteros .
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Names like Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Olazabal, and Sandy Lyle all played regularly on the European circuit.
Of course, all of those big names did compete on the PGA Tour as well, but Ballesteros was perhaps the biggest star at the time, and he focused more of his time on a worldwide schedule.
Why Seve Ballesteros refused to play regularly in America on the PGA Tour
Interestingly, Seve Ballesteros was banned from playing on the PGA Tour way back in 1986.
However, the real reason why he only played in 64 PGA Tour-sanctioned events outside of the majors was all down to his own personal preference.
Ballesteros sadly passed away back in 2011, but his legend will live on forever.
The Spaniard was once asked why he didn’t play as much on the PGA Tour as many of the other star names in the game at the time.
“I like this country (America), “ Ballesteros admitted.
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“ The best players are here and the best facilities are here. Sure, I would like to play here more. But I have to support the European Tour, and I want to enjoy my friends and my family.
“I always say I am prepared to come and play anytime I can, but never more than eight or nine tournaments.
“ If I play 15 in America, I have to play 15 in Europe and that is already 30, plus Japan, Australia and South Africa, that is 35. That is not possible. That is too much.”
Seve Ballesteros always supported the European Tour
The way that Ballesteros continued to support the European Tour throughout his career was truly admirable.
The PGA Tour has become such a behemoth over the past 5-10 years.
As a result, America is where the vast majority of the very best players in the world choose to ply their trade.
That said, Rory McIlroy does travel as much as he can to compete around the world.
It would be great if Scottie Scheffler did the same, but professional golfers are independent contractors.
The onus is solely on them to help grow the game as best they can.
And there was nobody better at doing that than Seve Ballesteros, certainly during the 1970s and 1980s.
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