Seve's fighting spirit was most likely inherited from his father and it has become a characteristic of his in all he does, whether on or off the course. He has fought to dignify the European Tour and this cost him no small upsets such as, for example, not being selected to play in the 1981 Ryder Cup. Despite all, his contribution has been vital in bringing the event to the brink of expectations and making it become one of the most keenly-followed sporting events shown on television.

Seve, indeed, did not take part in the 1981 Ryder Cup but in the tournaments following that event, he put many a player to shame by showing that his level was far above that of the rest of the European Tour. The following example is eloquent enough. In the six remaining tournaments he played after the Ryder Cup he won four important titles (Spanish Open, World Match Play, Dunlop Phoenix in Japan and Australian PGA Championship), losing in the play-off to Miller at the Million Dollars Challenge in Sun City and coming third in the Johnnie Walker Trophy.