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Life-size statue of golf legend Seve Ballesteros STOLEN as police launch investigation over mysterious disappearance
THIEVES have nicked a life-size statue of golf legend Seve Ballesteros from his hometown in Spain, police say.
The bronze tribute had been standing proudly in the tiny Cantabrian village of Pedrena for almost a decade.
It depicts the late, great Ballesteros – who tragically died in 2011, aged 54 – in the triumphant pose he struck after winning The Open in 1984.
Local authorities have launched an investigation after the statue vanished over the weekend.
Police are now in the process of trying to identify the culprits and recover the lost statue.
Marina de Cudeyo Town Council appealed for help by posting a snap of the statue on Instagram.
Part of the caption read: “Local Police and the Civil Guard have begun investigations to try to clarify this unfortunate incident, which all indications suggest was a theft.
“If anyone has observed any suspicious activity, especially in the last 24 hours, please inform the Civil Guard or the Local Police.”
Sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos created the statue in 2009 and it had stood in La Barqueria Park since 2017.
Ballesteros is still hailed as one of the most gifted golfers of all time.
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He won two Masters titles, three Open titles and five Ryder Cups, as well as spending 61 weeks as world No1.
Ballesteros was born in the village of Pedrena, near Santander in northern Spain, in 1957.
The Hall of Fame inductee was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 and died three year later after a “severe deterioration”.
The golfing world mourned his death, with Tiger Woods calling him “one of the most talented and exciting golfers ever to play the game”.
