Phil Mickelson pays tribute to Seve Ballesteros at Masters Dinner – PGA Tour News
The first major tournament of the year, the Masters is all ready to tee off from Thursday. All the top ranked players of the world will be competing in this all important event.
The defending champion Phil Mickelson earlier announced that he will pay tribute to the Legend Seve Ballesteros by hosting the Tuesday night dinner. Mickelson has already said that this dinner will have a special Spanish menu.
Mickelson has always had a love for the sport. He also invited Seve to attend this dinner.
The veteran and two-time Masters Champion Ballesteros is currently battling against brain cancer. His cancer was diagnosed a few months back. This was a very unfortunate for the Spaniard who has always enjoyed competing at the Masters.
He already holds two green jackets and won this tournament in 1980 and 1983.
Seve’s doctors advised him not to travel so far, as he is undergoing a few surgeries currently back home in Spain. It was a disappointment for the player when he could not attend the dinner hosted by Mickelson.
The 53-year-old legend has played exceptional golf during his career. Seve had a total of five major victories in his career, as he is still ranked as the best in his country.
Phil inquired about the health of the legend and spoke to him over the phone. They both had a long telephonic conversation. Mickelson along with other golfers pray for the health of Seve so that he gets well soon.
This dinner is held every year on Tuesday night before the par-3 contest. There are only the past champions and several players who are invited for this dinner. This is the inaugural Champions dinner which was started by Ben Hogan in
1952. Some board members of the host club also attend this special dinner feast.
Mickelson has always got inspiration from the Spaniard, as he used to watch him play when Phil was young. Mickelson at that time had set a dream that he will play like Ballesteros as he grows up to win the green jacket.
Mickelson at a tender age of nine said to his mother, "I want to win that tournament. I want to be like that and win this event."
Now, the past champions attending the dinner will all be entertained by the special menu which Mickelson has set for this dinner. There will be players like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, former Masters Winners, attending this dinner.
Every year, it is a great sight to watch all these legends and former Masters Champions, gather at one place. The dinner menu will include special beef along with some great desserts. In the dessert, there will be apple pie and some
other Spanish desserts.
Two-time green jacket holder, Jose Maria Olazabal will also be attending this dinner to represent Ballesteros.
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