Missing Ballesteros Statue Chopped in Spain

Missing Ballesteros Statue Chopped in Spain

A statue of the late Spanish professional golfer Seve Ballesteros has been found chopped into pieces after going missing from its hometown of Pedrena in northern Spain's Cantabria region. The bronze statue, created by sculptor Salvador Garcia Ceballos and installed in 2017, was discovered in a storage room in Santander, where it had been cut at the waist. A 22-year-old man with a criminal record for copper theft was arrested on Thursday, and police suspect more individuals may be involved.

The statue, valued at about 30,000 euros but holding significant sentimental importance for locals and fans, was torn from its base in La Barqueria Park earlier this month before being dragged across grass and dismembered for transport. Ballesteros, who won five major titles during his career and became a fan favorite for his capacity for digging himself out of trouble on the golf course, died in 2011 aged 54 after a battle with cancer.