Sad news from across the pond on Saturday, where legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros lost his battle with brain cancer and passed away quietly at the age of 54. Yahoo! Sports writer Jonathan Wall succinctly writes of Ballesteros’ impact on the game of golf:

It’s hard to put into words how important Ballesteros was to the game of golf. During his career, he amassed 91 professional wins, 5 major championships, and was credited with helping turn the European Tour into a proving ground for the game’s elite. While his success was legendary, it was Seve’s charisma on the course that seemed to captivate us all. When he stepped over an impossible shot, you almost knew something incredible was about to happen.

When Seve was playing, he was always one I looked forward to watching. He was tenacious, imaginative, fiery, charismatic, and just fun to watch. Had a bunker game that was incomparable. From his play he inspired a new generation of golfers who have helped raise the exposure of the European Tour and turn golf into the global sport it is today. In a day where too many of today’s young pros seem as if they’ve been churned out of cookie-cutter college golf factories, lacking in color, personality, and creativity, Seve Ballesteros stands out as a giant whose legacy will endure long beyond the sadness of his passing.

Here’s a nice tribute to Ballesteros, although why it didn’t include either this shot or this shot or this putting trick is a puzzler, for from them you really get an idea of his unique and exciting talents. It’s a shame he passed away at such an early age – he still should have had plenty of golf left in him.

Rest in peace, Seve – you were one of the greats and you will be missed.