Europes elite follow in Seve Ballesteross footsteps at Honda Classic

By Mark Reason Published: 5:40PM GMT 06 March 2010

Gearing up: Padraig Harrington, in movement at the Honda Classic, feels he will be at his majority appropriate in time for the Masters Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The usually non-Americans on the premises tended to be flipping onions on the prohibited dog grill. Then along came a conquistador called Seve Ballesteros, with his flashing eyes and flashing blades, and altered the world.

Players from eighteen opposite nationalities done the cut at this week"s Honda Classic in Florida. Countries as different as Brazil, India, Norway, Zimbabwe and Australia are represented. The corner leaders at median were a Colombian and an American of Korean extraction, with a Fijian one shot behind.

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American golfers give interjection to the God of Tiger Woods for doubling their earnings, but the rest of the universe should have a unchanging eventuality to the tabernacle of Seve in Pedrena. Sure, there were alternative players from abroad similar to Gary Player prolonged prior to Seve. But it was the Spaniard who took on American protectionism and non-stop up their debate to the world.

Camilo Villegas flew home to Colombia prior to this eventuality in sequence to foster the country"s initial contest on the Nationwide Tour. Two days after he was heading in Florida inconceivable even twenty years ago when the tip thirty players at the Honda were all American.

It took a whilst for all that Seve completed to take effect. Even in the early nineties Sandy Lyle was one of the couple of Europeans personification in the Honda. But this week there were sixteen Europeans in the margin and twelve of them done the cut. Even the American media were observant in the rave that it felt roughly similar to a European event.

The best-placed at median of Seve"s successors was Graeme McDowell, only 3 behind. He called a two-shot chastisement on himself after education his bar in a H2O jeopardy on the last hole of his second round. He afterwards talked to the media about it.

Maybe that is not so Seve, as the Spaniard competence have claimed that a dismayed tadpole had caused the splash, but the great man"s participation is still being felt this week. It seems that all the Europeans wish to speak about is the stirring Masters at Augusta, the place where Seve incited golf in to a voluptuous sport.

We have listened strains of Masters song at this time of year before, but never has it sounded utterly so Wagnerian. The Europeans are articulate in one shrill voice. Anticipation is being transposed by confidence. It is roughly eerie. It is roughly American.

Paul Casey, who recovered from an inhuman behind 9 of 41 in his opening turn by receiving 64 shots for his second round, said: "The vital I regularly see brazen to majority is Augusta since it suits my game."

Oliver Wilson, who struggled at last year"s Masters, right away says: "I"m going to take a couple of weeks off after Doral so I can goal for scrupulously for the Masters. I think I"ll be a lot fitter, fresher and a small bit some-more experienced. Hopefully that will interpret in to a great week. I feel I"m versed right away to understanding with the vital courses and they fit me."

Lee Westwood, a third Englishman in the tip thirty at halfway, is seeking brazen to carrying Billy Foster on his bag. He says: "It could have a difference. He loves the Masters. It"s probably his prime tournament. I think he"ll be a big item there, bigger than alternative tournaments maybe."

Padraig Harrington is articulate about being "ready to go by the time the Masters comes around." And so the difference keep acrobatics behind opposite the Atlantic. I cannot recollect the last time European golf sounded so confident. Let"s goal that Seve can find the strength to see on and smile.