Friends, family and royalty pay their respects at Ballesteros’ funeral

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Hundreds of mourners gathered today, Wednesday 11 May, for the funeral of golfing legend Severiano Ballesteros at the church of San Pedro in his hometown of Pedrena, northern Spain.

The urn that held Seve’s ashes was placed at the front of the church next to the iconic image of the man himself in his navy blue outfit, punching the air in celebration as his winning putt dropped in the 1984 Open at St Andrews.

The urn was brought to the church in a procession that was led by a piper and included his three children Baldomero, Miguel and Carmen, his older brothers Manuel, Vicente and Baldomero and Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe.

They were joined in the congregation by former Ryder Cup Captains Bernard Gallacher, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and, of course, current incumbent and great friend Jose Maria Olazabal.

The 400-seat church was full and three big screens were erected so people could follow the ceremony from outside. It was also broadcast live on Spanish television.

After the service, Seve’s ashes were taken to his requested his final resting place, next to a magnolia tree in the garden of the family home, which looks out over the course where Seve learnt to swing a club.

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