Seve withdraws after mother passes away

Seve Ballesteros withdrew from the Telefonica Madrid Open just before he was due to tee off today following the death of his mother.

Carmen Sota was 83 and had four sons who all became golf professionals - Baldomero, Manuel, Vicente and finally Severiano. She was at home in Pedrena when she died.

The three-time Open champion and twice Masters winner, whose company Amen Corner promotes the Madrid Open and Spanish Open, was expecting to play the first round with Padraig Harrington and Andrew Coltart, but his place was taken by Australian Peter Fowler.