HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

January 15, 2025

Javier Ballesteros

Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club

Press Conference

Q. Lovely to see you again. Give us your thoughts, please, after presenting Rory with the Seve Ballesteros Award for the fourth time now.

JAVIER BALLESTEROS: Yeah, I'm really happy to be here. It's special for me and 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, and also in global golf.

Yeah, very special. I told him when I presented him the trophy it was special to watch him at home win his sixth Race to Dubai title, and to speak the way he did about my dad after. I had a few tears for my eyes seeing him. Yeah, it's really special to be here.

Q. Rory had a few tears in his eyes when he was talking about your father as well. It's very clear how much of an icon he is in European golf and what he meant to Rory. Very fitting that it's Rory who is carrying the mantle on European golf at the moment?

JAVIER BALLESTEROS: Yeah, definitely. I think European golf should be very happy to have Rory. I actually think he's close to winning his fifth major, and I will definitely be very happy when he does it because I fully believe that is happening soon.