Tribute has been paid in St Andrews to three-times Open champion and former world number one Seve Ballesteros.
The charismatic Spaniard, one of golf’s true legends, died on Saturday morning at his home in Pedrena.
Ballesteros, who was only 54, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008, the year after he retired from the game, and finally succumbed to respiratory failure with his family around him.
One of his most memorable moments occurred on the Old Course, St Andrews, when he won the Open in 1984.
There is great affection in the home of golf for the former Ryder Cup captain, who was regarded as one of the game’s best-loved players.
He had been due to return to the famous course to play in the Champion of Champions match at the Open last summer, but fans were disappointed when he pulled out as a result of his doctor’s orders.
On Saturday, the flag beside the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was flying at half mast.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said, “Everyone at the R&A is saddened to hear of Seve’s death. Our thoughts go out to his family.
“Seve was one of the brightest lights of our game and was an inspiration to millions.
“His iconic celebration here at St Andrews, on the 18th green in 1984, ranks as one of sport’s greatest moments.
“The game has lost one of the greats; it is a very sad day for golf.”
A message posted on the website of St Andrews Links Trust, which manages the town’s seven links courses, said Ballesteros would be “sadly missed.”
It read, “His dramatic victory in the 1984 Open Championship on the Old Course confirmed his place in the pantheon of golfing legends who have triumphed at the Home of Golf.
“Few who witnessed it will ever forget his raw emotion and gritty determination in snatching the Claret Jug from the hands of Tom Watson with that memorable putt on the 18th green.
“Seve was a hero to millions of golf fans around the world and inspired many to take up the game,” the statement added.
“For many years to come golfers will make the pilgrimage to St Andrews and imagine Seve pumping his fist in sheer delight as the putt edged into the cup.”
Ballesteros marked himself out as a force to be reckoned with aged just 19, when he tied for second place with Jack Nicklaus in the 1976 Open Champion at Royal Birkdale.
A glittering career on the fairways also saw him take five major championships between 1979 and 1988, including the Masters twice, and represent Europe in the Ryder Cup eight times, leading his side to victory in 1997 at Valderrama.
When he clinched Open victory at St Andrews with a birdie putt on the final hole of the Old Course, Ballesteros pumped his fist to the delight of spectators around the world.
His celebratory gesture became legendary and a symbol of it became the logo for the group of companies he formed.
Flags at the Real Club de Golf El Prat were flown at half-mast on Saturday for the third round of the Spanish Open. Players wore black ribbons and observed a minute’s silence.