Ballesteros back on the leaderboard

Raul Ballesteros, the 23-year-old nephew of Severiano, has given himself the chance to win his first European tour title this weekend.

And if it happens it would be one of the biggest shocks in golf for years.

Not even a member of the circuit yet, Ballesteros today had his second successive 68 and moved just one shot behind early leader Cesar Monasterio in the €1,000,000 Seville Open.

In 21 previous appearances on the tour – the first three as an amateur – he has made only nine halfway cuts and has a best finish of 48th, yet Ballesteros said: “People don’t expect great things of me, but I am looking forward to a good round tomorrow and to fight on Sunday.”

He used to caddie for his uncle and admits: “I wish my short game was as good as his.

“My future has nothing to do with Severiano. All the people remember what he did, but I am apart from all that. I am Raul Ballesteros, professional player, who wants to play well every week.”

Seve missed the Masters last week because of a back injury and the younger Ballesteros is going through the pain barrier himself. He had laser surgery on his right shoulder last year and faces the same procedure on his left shoulder at the end of this season.

“My father (Baldomero) and my other uncles have problems, so there is a chance it is hereditary.”

The family name guarantees attention, but he added: “There is no pressure on me at all. My job is not to come here and win.” He is playing on a special sponsor’s invitation, one of seven he is allowed during the season.

By the same age his uncle had already won the 1979 Open, 1980 Masters and the first 14 of his 50 European tour victories.

Monasterio’s eight-birdie 67 enabled him to take over at the top from 21-year-old Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who followed up his opening 65 with a 75.

The 40-year-old Argentinian is playing only his ninth tour event. He came through the qualifying school at the third attempt last November after not touching a club at all from age 19 to 27.

First Monasterio went and did military service, then he worked as a driver distributing water. His work took him past the golf club and eventually he took up the sport again.

Compatriot Ricardo Gonzalez, winner of the Madrid Open six months ago, is on eight under along with Ballesteros and Italian Emanuele Canonica.