Shades of Seve as Javier Ballesteros dedicates opening 65 to Dad

Javier Ballesteros in action. Picture by Fernando Herranz (El Mundo Deportivo)A picture is worth a thousand words and this image of Javier Ballesteros says it all. The 21-year old amateur made his debut in a pro event at the same course where his late father Seve took his first steps on the road to golfing immortality, Sant Cugat, 38 years ago.

And the young law student did so brilliantly, dedicating his  five under 65 to his father as he trailed first round leader Ivo Giner by just three strokes in the Alps Tour’s Peugeot Alps de Barcelona.

That was just one stroke more than European Tour star Pablo Larrazabal and two less than Ballyliffins’s Brendan McCarroll, who was the best of the Irish.

Young Ballesteros in practice. Pic via Alps Tour.“I started a bit nervous, I thought I wouldn’t be but I was,” he told the Alps Tour website. “But I hit a great drive on the first hole (the 8th) that calmed me a lot and I holed a good birdie there. Then it has been a good round, I did not get into troubles except for the three putts on 16th.

“I played very solid from tee to green. I hit 18 greens, the best part of my game was short game. I have enjoyed very much playing with Pablo Larrazabal, I have seen him hitting incredible shots, he is the type of player I like, natural and talented. It has been a great round that I dedicate my father, I think he would be happy.”

McCarroll hit a 67 while Gareth Shaw, who is fourth in the Alps Tour money list, had a two under 68 with Richard Kilpatrick on 69.

Castle’s Dara Lernihan opened with a disappointing, seven over par 77. Check here for live scoring.