“I said to Javier, the legacy that his dad left on not just European golf but global golf will live on forever,” passionately expressed Rory McIlroy to Javier Ballesteros on January 15th, upon securing his 2024 Seve Ballesteros Award for the fourth time on the DP World Tour held in Dubai. He had previously received the honor in 2012, 2014, and 2015. After taking home the Race to Dubai Champion title last year for the sixth time, the emotions were welling up. After all, this had put him alongside Ballesteros for the second-most wins of the title, behind only Collin Montgomerie’s eight titles.

This award represents the collective opinion of players celebrating the best. While the Race to Dubai Championship graces the season’s champions, the Seve Ballesteros Award honors respect. Together, the synergy represents the best of the European Tour.  So, let’s find out why the Seve Ballesteros Award is special.

The Chronicles of the Players’ Player of the Year Award

It is all in the values. The latest recipient of the award, Rory McIlroy cherished the critical role of players in maintaining its legacy at the ceremony. “The Seve Ballesteros Award is special because it’s voted on by your peers,” Rory McIlroy said, winning with 46% of the votes. “They are the ones that have been out there on the course with you week-in, week-out, playing the same golf courses, competing. So to get their vote is very meaningful,” he added when accepting the award from Javier Ballesteros.

Due to this, expect no prize money to be involved, as for this award it’s all about honor, glory, and respect. Renamed in 2017, the winner is elected on votes from the European Tour members. The Players’ Player of the Year Award dedicated the new name to Seve Ballesteros, winner of over 80 international tournaments.

This switch was made in the year when the Spaniard would have turned 60. In this refreshed legacy, Henrik Stenson set the stage for triumph after earning maximum votes in 2016. It is all about recognizing and leading excellence. The award constantly inspires golf’s greatest icons to not only pay their tribute to Ballesteros’ legacy but embody the relentless pursuit of a true champion. It is after all a great representation of the Spaniard’s numerous victories and his role in emphasizing European Tours on a global scale. An international mix of pros like Ryan Fox, Adrian Meronk, and Jon Rahm are among other recipients of the award.

Apart from its history, the award itself holds deep emotions. Designed by Thomas Lyte, a premium brand of renowned craftsmen, the Seve Ballesteros dish weighs more than three kilos. National flowers of each European Tour player’s nation surround the outer ring of the dish with an engraving of Seve Ballesteros in his celebratory pose. The whole dish is made from sterling silver with highlights of gold. What a delight!

With time, the Ballesteros family has kept the prestige of this award alive. Doesn’t that add to its beauty?

Javier Ballesteros had a few words for the victorious McIlroy

Seve Ballesteros left behind a legacy that his three children can proudly stand by on. As Javier Ballesteros awarded McIlroy with the award, he had a “few tears in his eyes.” Being a pro himself Javier felt it the strongest that McIlroy definitely deserves this award.

It was indeed stunning to watch a golf pro acknowledging the resilience of fellow champions. Javier Ballesteros graciously echoed back the praises, saying, “It’s special for me, my brother and sister to have the Player of the Year award named after my dad, and it’s obviously special to present it to Rory. I think he’s one of the best players of all time in global golf.”

Traditions like these fuel important conversations that tend to lose volume if not reciprocated. The Seve Ballesteros Award symbolizes the synergy of players, supporters, and winners. Who is set to grab this true gem next? Will we see McIlroy tug it another year? Drop your thoughts!