SEVERIANO Ballesteros cut a sorry figure as he trooped off the 18th green yesterday lunchtime, writes Spencer Robinson.
The flashing smile and charismatic demeanour which have become synonymous with the Spaniard were conspicuous by their absence as he toiled to a far-from-impressive round of three-over-par 74.
He ended the day 11 shots behind pace-setting Brian Watts in joint 100th position and is in serious danger of missing the cut for the final two days which will be made after today's second round.
''I played like a dog,'' said Ballesteros, distressed at his inability to reproduce the glittering shot-making which has been a hallmark of his game over the past 15 years.
For the time being the sparkle has disappeared and spraying the ball to far-flung corners of the course yesterday, Ballesteros looked a pale shadow of the man who has won five major championships.
To his credit, he did not look for excuses. ''There was no wind and the course played quite easily. But I played very poorly and that's why I shot a 74,'' he said.