Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros dies after long illness

[News_Editor]

Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros dies after long illness

2011-05-07 13:40:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

MADRID (BNO NEWS) -- Golf legend Severiano Ballesteros died at his home in northern Spain on early Saturday morning, his family said. He was 54.

Ballesteros, who was the world's number one golfer in the 80s, had serious health problems ever since undergoing surgery on a brain tumor in 2008 after he lost consciousness at Madrid airport. His condition rapidly worsened on Friday.

"The Ballesteros family informs that Seve's neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration," his family said in a statement on Friday. "The family will inform accordingly about any change in his health condition and takes this opportunity of thanking everyone for the support that both Seve and his own family have been receiving during all this time."

On Saturday morning, Ballesteros' family confirmed that the golf legend had passed away at his home in the Spanish town of Pedreña. He passed away at 2.10 a.m. local time while surrounded by his family.

"The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumour on October 5, 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz," the family said in a statement after his death. "At this time the family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time."

Ballesteros won the Masters Tournament in 1980 and 1983 and won the Open Championship in 1979, 1984, and 1988. He also finished third at the U.S. Open in 1987 and finished fifth at the PGA Championship in 1984. Overall, Ballesteros scored more than 90 professional wins.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-07

[bonobo]

Close to my age, It is sobering to realize that a fit man can succumb like that. Life is fragile.

RIP.

[chuckd]

He will be missed. I met him briefly once and he was a true gentleman.

[RusticCharm]

Though not particularly a golf fan, I always thought Seve was a class act.

Impeccably dressed with a swashbuckling confidence and a ready smile. What a man!

[geriatrickid]

Not much of a golf fan either, but I was always impressed by his interviews. He was a polite well spoken gentleman flowing with passion.

The Telegraph gave him a decent obit that does him justice.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/8499894/Seve-Ballesteros.html