Following in Seve’s Footsteps

After making his first appearance in a professional event at the same course where his celebrated father made his professional debut, Javier Ballesteros Botín teed up for his second tournament at the emblematic scene of Seve’s final victory.

The young Ballesteros was one of the amateur invitees for the Peugeot Tour Alps at Club de Campo de Villa de Madrid, where the late star won the 1995 Peugeot Open de España. Unfortunately, there was no happy ending this time: he missed the cut by 13 shots (79-78 for a 14-over total). Veteran Santiago Luna eventually won the 54-hole event with a 10-under total.

(Photo: Gnews)

Less than two months later, however, he triumphed by four shots in the Madrid Men’s Amateur Open at Retamares for his first major tournament win. “My father always said you have to play with what you’ve got, and that’s what I did. I thought a lot about him during the 18 holes and dedicate this victory to him, as well as my mother (Carmen Botín). And obviously my coach, Ángel Matallana. He puts a lot of effort into helping me and, even though my father said your swing should always be natural, I’m making some small changes.

“I practise as much as I can but I also have to study. I’ve just started my fourth year of law at the Complutense University and that’s my main priority at the moment.”