Seve Ballesteros Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

World Golf Hall of Fame member Seve Ballesteros was admitted to a hospital in Madrid last Monday after briefly losing conciousness. He has remained in Madrid's La Paz hospital since, undergoing a battery of tests.

On Sunday, in a statement released by the hospital, Ballesteros revealed the bad news: He has a brain tumor. Whether it is benign or malignant, and what course of action might be prescribed, is not yet known. A biopsy is planned for Tuesday.

Here is Ballesteros' statement:

"Once I had been able to inform my three children and their mother, now I can tell you about the illness that I am suffering. After a thorough medical check-up at La Paz Hospital, a brain tumour has been detected.

"Throughout my whole career I have been one of the best at facing obstacles on the golf course. Now I want to be the best, facing the most difficult match of my life, with all my strength, and counting on all of you who are sending encouraging messages.

"(On) Tuesday I will have a biopsy performed, and then the doctors will decide how to proceed.

"I have always felt very close to people who suffer serious illness, even more severe than mine. I want to remind them that with courage, faith, serenity, confidence and a lot of mental strength we have to face every situation no matter how difficult it is.

"I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all those people who have shown affection and interest in my state of health, with all kinds of support. Many thanks."

Ballesteros is arguably the golfer most responsible for the resurgence in European golf (and interest in the Ryder Cup) that began taking shape in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. A 5-time major championship winner, he is also arguably the greatest golfer of his time. As a player, Ballesteros always brought flash and flair to the golf course, along with a driving, fierce competitiveness - a fierce competitiveness that he will now surely bring to whatever challenges lie before him.

We wish Seve the best.

See:

• Seve Ballesteros biography
• Brain tumor causes, symptoms and treatments
• More on brain tumors from the About.com Cancer Guide

Update: Ballesteros undergoes brain surgery, part of tumor removed