MADRID (AP) Five-time major champion Seve Ballesteros, who had brain surgery in 2008, has suffered ''a severe deterioration'' in his condition, his family said Friday.
The 54-year-old Ballesteros is being cared for at home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, where he has been recovering from multiple operations performed three years ago to remove a malignant brain tumor.
''The Ballesteros family informs that Seve's neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration,'' a statement on the golfer's website said. ''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.''
Ballesteros, winner of three British Opens and two Masters, is one of Spain's and the golfing world's best-known sporting personalities for his swashbuckling playing style. He also recorded 50 victories on the European Tour and is widely recognized as having transformed European golf.
Ballesteros fainted at Madrid's international airport before boarding a flight to Germany on Oct. 6, 2008 and was subsequently diagnosed with the brain tumor.
He underwent four operations, including one 6 1/2-hour procedure to remove the tumor and reduce swelling around the brain. After leaving the hospital, his treatment continued with chemotherapy.
While looking much more thin and pale, Ballesteros made several public appearances in 2009 after being given what he referred to as the ''mulligan of my life.'' He has rarely been seen in public since March 2010 when he fell off a golf cart and banged his head on the ground.
