Two weeks ago, after Europe’s emotional Ryder Cup triumph, Jose Maria Olazabal unbuttoned his shirt to reveal to the cameras that behind the Team Europe shield was a hidden silhouette of Seve Ballesteros. “He’s always with us”, said a tearful Chema.
The history of Spanish – and global – golf would be very different without the great Severiano Ballesteros. The Cantabria native was an international superstar whose influence on the game can still be felt today. “Without Seve, there would be no Rahm. That much is clear”, said Jon Rahm himself during the official presentation of the Open de España presented by Madrid.
Without Seve there would be no Rahm. But perhaps there would be no Sergio Garcia, Rafa Cabrera Bello, David Puig or Angel Ayora either. The latter, the latest future promise of Spanish golf, delighted the fans at Club de Campo on Thursday, signing for an opening 67 (-4).
The Andalusian, who turned 21 just a few days ago, went lower than any other Spaniard in round one. “I felt like I was swinging well coming here and I wanted to test my putting. I didn’t start particularly well [double bogey on his 4th hole and bogey on his 6th], but then I grew into it”, Ayora told Fuera de Limites. “As Tiger once said, you have to be aggressive but to your spot”.
Ayora played the Open de España two years ago as an amateur, this is his first time as a professional. “I wouldn’t give my first season as a pro 10 out of 10, but I’d give it a distinction. My goal was to get my PGA Tour card and I’m close to it. I’m pretty happy with my season”, said the Spaniard at Club de Campo. “A win here would be the win of my life, also this year the champion qualifies for The Open and the US Masters. That really would be unbelievable!”
In the markers hut after round one, there was a familiar face waiting for him, that of his agent, Javi Ballesteros, Seve’s eldest son, whose features are reminiscent of his father. The connection between Ayora and Spain’s greatest golfing legend doesn’t stop there; the clothing brand he wears is ‘Seve’, whose logo was so close to the hearts of Olazabal and Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.
