Spanish Golf Legend Seve Ballesteros Dies

The term legend is used far too easily these days, but this guy was a true gent and a genius with a golf club..........RIP

The 54-year-old passed away at his home in northern Spain this morning, according to Spanish television.

His family had said on his website on Friday his condition had deteriorated badly.

Ballesteros - who won five majors, including The Masters twice, during his 30-year professional career - had further treatment after the surgery rin 2008.

He underwent a 12-hour operation but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Speaking afterwards, he said the tumour was "the size of two golf balls".

'Seve' Ballesteros was born in Pedrena, Spain, on April 9, 1957.

He turned pro at age 16 in 1974 and finished second at the British Open at age 19 in 1976.

He went on to win the British Open three times in his career (1979, 1984, and 1988) and twice don the green jacket at Augusta (1980 and 1983).

The former world No. 1 holds the record for the highest number of European Tour victories - 50. He won 87 titles altogether.

One of the best ever match play competitors, Ballesteros helped Europe capture the Ryder Cup four times as a player and captained the team to victory in 1997.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.

Ballesteros played sparingly in the latter years of his career until his retirement in July 2007 due to chronic back problems.