Tributes pour in for Seve

The possibility that Seve Ballesteros may have played his last tournament brought a flood of tributes today.

Out of action since last October because of a back injury, Ballesteros now concedes his career may be over at the age of 47.

"My back is riddled with arthritis and I have no feeling in my neck. I have hardly any mobility.

"I wouldn't say I am destroyed mentally but I am very low. I have started thinking about other things away from golf, because I have to.

"I have to accept that everything has a beginning and an end, although, of course it would be sad if this is it. I am not confirming this is the end because you always hope for a miracle cure, but what can you do?"

Ernie Els, asked where he ranked the Spaniard among the all-time greats, said: "He's right up there.

"Seve's the Arnold Palmer of the European Tour. All the charisma and all the excitement that you wanted to see, that was Seve.

"He changed the tour in his way. If there was one guy I always wanted to watch it was Seve and at the World Match Play I was in awe watching him and at the same time playing with him."

Debut

That was in 1994. In a match containing an incredible 12 twos - seven of them from Ballesteros - Els marked his debut in the event by holing his approach to the third and winning two and one.

The pair are now both record-holders with their five victories in the event.

Sandy Lyle lost the 1982 final to Ballesteros at the first extra hole and remembers the shot that decided it.

"It was pouring with rain and he hit a three-wood from the left-hand rough. It must have been 230 yards and he got it to the green and birdied.

"That was Seve all over. He made something out of almost the impossible.

"Every week it was great fun to be playing with him to see his ability to put numbers on the board. His inventiveness was fantastic and you always felt you could learn from him. I certainly did."

Ignacio Garrido, defending champion at this week's Volvo PGA championship, has known Ballesteros since he was a seven year old.

He caddied then for his father Antonio, who with Ballesteros became the first continental European players in the Ryder Cup.

"It's sad if it's finishing this way," said Garrido.