Wentworth fans urged to wear dark blue for Seve Ballesteros

BRITISH golf fans are being encouraged to pay tribute to Seve Ballesteros by wearing his trademark navy blue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the Spaniard's two wins in the European Tour's flagship event.

The nice touch by organisers of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth came as it was also announced a new invitational pro-am will be staged on the eve of this year's event in aid of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.

Ballesteros recorded seven victories at the Surrey venue, five in the World Match Play and two in the PGA Championship, the second at the expense of Colin Montgomerie in a play-off.

The second round of this year's event - on Friday, 27 May - coincides with the 20th anniversary of that triumph and European Tour officials are hoping to see the West Course awash with fans wearing dark blue in honour of Ballesteros following his death at the weekend.

Four days earlier, a host of major winners will be among those taking part in Ol Seve!, an event that will not only celebrate his life but also raise funds for his Foundation.

"Seve was the inspiration behind the European Tour," said chief executive George O'Grady. "He cut a dashing and imposing figure and fought illness with the same flair, passion, courage and willpower that he displayed on golf courses the world over.

"Ol Seve! is a fitting platform from which to raise funds for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation in partnership with Cancer Research UK, aimed to helping combat this devastating disease. We welcome everyone to Wentworth on 23 May to pay their own, personal tribute to one of golf's greatest champions."

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie will be in one of the teams and is being joined by fellow major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Jos Maria Olazbal. The latter, who formed such a successful partnership with Ballesteros in the Ryder Cup, is taking on the role of tournament host and will also front an evening reception, prize-giving and auction.

Montgomerie, who attended Seve's funeral in Pedrena on Wednesday, has also agreed to take part, as have a number of his Ryder Cup-winning team in Wales last year and also 2010 rookie of the year Matteo Manassero. "We are delighted to co-host this event with the European Tour," said Wentworth Club chairman Richard Caring. "Seve won more times over the West Course than anywhere else and we all remember how he entertained us during those seven victories with flair and a swashbuckling style. We hope the day will be a fitting tribute to Seve while raising a significant sum to help battle brain cancer."

Admission will take the form of a minimum 5 donation to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.