A bronze statue of golf legend Severiano ‘Seve’ Ballesteros has disappeared from his hometown. Authorities are investigating the theft.
The life-sized bronze statue of Spanish golf legend Severiano ‘Seve’ Ballesteros, installed in 2009, has gone missing from his hometown Pedrena in the Cantabria region, according to city officials. Spanish authorities launched an investigation after the local council of Marina de Cudeyo posted on Instagram that the “unfortunate event” over the weekend suggests the statue was stolen. The council urged the public to assist the investigation: “If anyone has noticed suspicious activity, especially in the last 24 hours, please inform the Guardia Civil or the local police.”
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The statue captures Ballesteros’ victorious moment at the 1984 Open Championship in St Andrews, where he came from behind in the final round to win by two shots, denying American Tom Watson a third consecutive Open title.
Severiano Ballesteros: One of European Golf’s Greatest Figures
The bronze statue honored the Spaniard who, as a player and later as the European Ryder Cup team captain, contributed to four victories. Ballesteros began his professional success at 19 with a second place at the 1976 Open Championship behind Jack Nicklaus. He won three Open Championships (1979, 1984, 1988) and two Masters titles (1980, 1983). Throughout his career, he earned multiple accolades including Golfer of the Year awards, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, and named European Player of the Century in 2000. With 50 tournament wins, he holds the record on the PGA European Tour. Ballesteros passed away in 2011 at 54 due to a brain tumor.
The statue was created in 2009 by Spanish sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos and permanently installed in La Barqueria Park in 2017.