Ballesteros to play in next years Open???

[Smiffy]

Good idea or bad?
As much as I love the guy, and admire what he has done for golf through the last 30 years or so, I can't help thinking that this is a bad idea.
My initial reaction, when I heard him say that he planned to be there, was "I want to go and watch him"...but in the cold light of day I'd much rather remember him in his heyday, punching the air with delight when he won or played a great shot.
The thought of him shambling around the Old Course, shooting two terrible opening scores would really upset me personally.
It's a romantic notion to think that he could go out and play well, and yes it would be a chance for some youngsters who had never seen the great man in action.
But Seve is a golfing legend, an icon.
I can't help having bad feelings about this...a bit like Muhammad Ali's last fight which was more of a sideshow attraction than a fight.
As I say, I'd rather remember him how he was.

 

[Parmo]

I don't care what score he shoots, and in his prime the 17th has killed his rounds I will be watching him, to me Seve is the greatest of all time.

 

[clubchamp07]

Letting Seve play in next years open just goes to show people would rather watch hasbeens than watch our new crop of young stars. Imagine if just say IF, McIlroy or Chris Woods was the last men on the border line to make the open, (I know that wont happen to them because they have made next years line up already) and for a romantic sake they wanted Seve to play just because of his past glories. What would they do then? I can't understand these guys who just cant retire gracefully.
The field in opens and masters are full of old guys yesteryear stars, they have had their day, so please retire and let us enjoy the new. IMO
Faldo
Lyle
Watson
Calcavacia
Norman to name but a few, please RETIRE.

 

[madandra]

As a past champion he has earbned his starting place. I think Seve is wanting to use St Andrews as an arena to say goodbye to cometitive golf and thank the fans for the support he got during his darkest hour. I for one will be there and will probably get emotional because he is a legend and was the most influential player of my generation and we are lucky he is still here.

 

[DCB]

I do rather hope he doesn't play next year. It was painfull to watch him play 10 years ago before he hung up his clubs. I think I would rather remember him the way he was in his prime rather than watch him struggle with his game nowadays.

That said, as a past champion golfer he has the right to turn up and play if he wants to, so if he does, then all the best.

 

[nicknixon]

The beauty of the game of golf is the tradition with which golfers universally apply to the sport. Rules, etiquette and dress codes remain largely unchanged (occasionally to the game's detriment) and we, as golfers behold that.

Now, as for the sport's most prestigious trophies, I see there are very good reasons for former champions to continue to be welcome. One is that it is traditional, and thank god it is because for reason two...

Young sportsmen are rarely ignorant of their chosen sport's history and quite often your heroes are 'past their best' and have acquired a 'legendary' status. If it weren't for the tradition of the Open, I for one would have missed greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and God knows how many others!

Of course there's the argument that you could go to watch Senior's events, but seriously...why not allow past champions to compete in higher profile events? It's be like denying Led Zeppelin, Metallica or ACC from performing at music festivals because they passed their own golden era years ago! Utterly ridiculous!

Finally and actually probably foremost, just remind me who finished second at the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry? And, has any other one golfer caused such a stir recently besides Tiger?

Long live the greats and long live the tradition in which golf is celebrated!

 

[Smiffy]

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the "greats" haven't earnt their right to play in such prestigious tournaments and that they shouldn't be there.
But taking into account what Seve has been through recently, I feel it would be sad to see him go out like this. As I said earlier, I feel it would become a bit of a "sideshow" like the Ali fight.
And as for Tom Watson?
Yep, fantastic what he achieved at Turnberry.
But I felt really sorry for him when he played those last two holes of the play off. He had had it. Shot to pieces.
To see Seve possibly play the first two rounds like that would be an embarrasment (sp?) to be honest.

 

[julsk10]

I feel that all the young golfers appreciate the fact that past champions have earned their right to play in the open so if they haven't made it into the open it is an incentive to keep improving, (McIlroy didn't play last year but there was no grumbles from him). Its not just the oldies who shoot high scores. The first two out on Sunday both shot +12 to finish on +24 for the competition

 

[need_my_wedge]

Seve has been my golfing hero for many years, he was the one who inspired me to play back when I originally started in the early eighties. Over the past year he has suffered a terrible illness, that still hasn't totally cured, he still has 6 chemo sessions to go, and that isn't going to guarantee him a clear run. However, many patients with cancer overcome it if they have something to fight for. I think targeting The Open next year is a way for him to set an achievable goal to aim for, and bloody good luck to him if he chooses to do that.

Reading some of the posts chipping at Tom Watson over the weekend, it seems that a few of you appear a little "ageist", stating that if the oldies win it makes a mockery of the game. What complete rot. If they can play the game and qualify then good luck to them. If anything, it makes it harder for them against the younger players who are clearly fitter, more athletic and have much more stamina. If they're up there on the last day, then they deserve as much as the youngsters.

I was never a fan of Tom Watson, but what he achieved this last weekend was magnificent, even if it did wind up heartbreaking for him. If Seve comes in next year and plays, it will be a remarkable achievement, regardless of where he finishes. Over the week the player with the lowest score will win, if it's Seve I'll be ecstatic, if he misses the cut, I'll be sad, but equally ecstatic that he's still there to compete.

As a previous winner, and at 53, under the age of 60, he is a shoe in for qualification. Personally, I hope he's there, and wish him all the luck in the world.

 

[big_mean_bunny]

the plan to play in the open is the end scheme of his recovery from a very serious Condition. I don't care what he scores as long as he can get out on the course and hold his own somewhat. His drive to get back is admirable and I wish him and his foundation all the best.

 

[freddielong]

Letting Seve play in next years open just goes to show people would rather watch hasbeens than watch our new crop of young stars. Imagine if just say IF, McIlroy or Chris Woods was the last men on the border line to make the open, (I know that wont happen to them because they have made next years line up already) and for a romantic sake they wanted Seve to play just because of his past glories. What would they do then? I can't understand these guys who just cant retire gracefully.
The field in opens and masters are full of old guys yesteryear stars, they have had their day, so please retire and let us enjoy the new. IMO
Faldo
Lyle
Watson
Calcavacia
Norman to name but a few, please RETIRE.

Did you not watch the Open this year one of those "has beens" should have won it and did you watch last years open one of those "has beens" was leading with 9 to play, maybe if the current crop were good enough we would not need the "has beens"

 

[brendy]

The beauty of golf is that it isnt just a young lads sport like football or tennis.
Its about technique and mental strength, not youth and brawn.
Seve's game deteriorated when he just couldnt see the ball going into the hole in his minds eye, if he can recover even half of the brilliance he once had, id certainly pay to go and watch. He didnt have any physical problem, he was fit and able, just lost his imagination.
I played with one of our clubs legends last year, the guy had won everything there was to win in Northern Ireland (70's and 80's)in both teams and single scratch events. He is now well into his sixties and lives in California near Torrey Pines.
He was hitting his driver as far as I and his irons were as crisp as could be, his putting was ok on the day but he just didnt score as well as his striking ability portrayed. He still had me beat though.
I think old pros never lose the ability, they lose the imagination.

 

[iwtuk]

It's a really tough call for me. I admire Seve as one of the greatest players in my lifetime to have ever picked up a club, but as many other here have suggested, it could turn out to be somewhat of a sad experience to see him play; a shadow of his once majestic self.

That said, I can totally understand why is he saying that. I get the impression that it's not because he thinks he can win the thing, or that he can "compete" necessarily, but it's a goal to aim towards; something that he can grab hold of and use to leverage his recuperation, both mental and physical. Given the appalling few months he has endured; does any one really begrudge him this?

Anyway, that's my two penny-worth

 

[freddielong]

I will definately watch and give my support to him, he gave me golf, he showed me that you could be passionate and enthusiastic and still enjoy and thrive playing the game, which was thought of by many as boring, and somthing to do once you retire. IMO he is the most important golfer of my generation and any chance to see him play will be a chance to good to miss.

 

[muttleee]

At least St Andrews is wide open so he can spray it around a bit off the tee and still make birdies.

 

[Smiffy]

I am one of Seve's biggest fans.
I used to say that I would much rather follow him around a course shooting a 76 than Faldo shooting a 68.
Whilst I appreciate the sentiments of him "setting a goal" I just feel that if he went round St Andrews shooting an 85 the first day and a 90 the second, it would be a very sad end to the guys career.
Towards the end of his appearance on the tour his results were a series of missed cuts and rounds in the 80's.
How would you seriously feel if he missed the cut on 24 over? I know I would feel very sad for the guy, and that's not how I want to remember him.

 

[iwtuk]

I am one of Seve's biggest fans.
I used to say that I would much rather follow him around a course shooting a 76 than Faldo shooting a 68.
Whilst I appreciate the sentiments of him "setting a goal" I just feel that if he went round St Andrews shooting an 85 the first day and a 90 the second, it would be a very sad end to the guys career.
Towards the end of his appearance on the tour his results were a series of missed cuts and rounds in the 80's.
How would you seriously feel if he missed the cut on 24 over? I know I would feel very sad for the guy, and that's not how I want to remember him.

Smiffy, all I meant was that I can understand why he wants to do it, not that it's the right thing to do, and that no-one can begrudge him the desire to try again. I'm up there with you, I want to remember him as the great golfer he was, not feel like I'm going to have to watch through my fingers.

 

[Smiffy]

I am one of Seve's biggest fans.
I used to say that I would much rather follow him around a course shooting a 76 than Faldo shooting a 68.
Whilst I appreciate the sentiments of him "setting a goal" I just feel that if he went round St Andrews shooting an 85 the first day and a 90 the second, it would be a very sad end to the guys career.
Towards the end of his appearance on the tour his results were a series of missed cuts and rounds in the 80's.
How would you seriously feel if he missed the cut on 24 over? I know I would feel very sad for the guy, and that's not how I want to remember him.

Smiffy, all I meant was that I can understand why he wants to do it, not that it's the right thing to do, and that no-one can begrudge him the desire to try again. I'm up there with you, I want to remember him as the great golfer he was, not feel like I'm going to have to watch through my fingers.

Sorry...
My comment wasn't aimed at you directly. Apologise if it was taken that way.
I feel the same way about it as you, and your "watching through fingers" sums it up for me perfectly.

 

[freddielong]

It kind of reminds me of the stone roses gig at the Reading festival in 96 (bear with me there is a point) I was there and absolutly loved it, but the band were slated so much for there performance it turned out to be there last. I was so in awe of them that it didn't matter.
Seve is Seve I would watch him shoot 106 as he would do it in style there would be little sparks of magic.

 

[medwayjon]

Seve is a god to me, my hero, and I will rejoice in seeing him play if he does so.