Seve Ballesteros’ son Javier makes paid debut

JAVIER Ballesteros, Seve’s son, is being joined by a handful of Scots with less pedigree when he makes his professional debut today in the first stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School.

Javier, son of Seve Ballesteros, pictured, hopes to follow in his fathers spikemarks. Picture: Getty

Ballesteros, who announced last month that he’d followed in his famous father’s spikemarks by joining the paid ranks, has Julien Clement, a former European Tour card holder from Switzerland, for company in his two-round test at La Cala in Spain.

“This is something I have always wanted,” said the 23-year-old. “Whether I will succeed or not, time will tell.”

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Also among the hopefuls bidding to secure cards on the third-tier circuit are four Scots – amateur Kevin Duncan as well as James Steven, Ross Colsh and Scott Stewart-Cation.

The latter is a former South East District Open champion but the others are all unknown quantities. The final stage takes place at the same venue next week.

Meanwhile, Paul Lawrie’s group playing a two-round event at Pestana Vila Sol in Portugal today and tomorrow was reduced to 11 before the party left Scotland. Greg McBain, a former Paul Lawrie Invitational winner, was forced to miss out after pulling muscles in his back.

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