GOLF:IN WHAT sounds ominously like preparing the way for the news to come, the family of Seve Ballesteros – Europe's iconic golfer, who was largely responsible for popularising the sport in the 1970s and beyond – yesterday indicated the Spaniard had suffered "a severe deterioration in his neurological condition".
Ballesteros has been battling brain cancer since October 2008, after which the five-time Major champion underwent four major surgical procedures. He has also undergone six courses of chemotherapy and additional radiotherapy over the past two and a half years.
The 54-year-old golfing legend is reportedly being cared for at home in Pedrena, where his three children – sons Baldomero and Miguel and daughter Carmen – are by his side. Ballesteros’s ex-wife, Carmen, is staying at their apartment in nearby Santander.
In a statement released yesterday, the family said: “The Ballesteros family informs that Seve’s neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration. 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 this time.”
Ballesteros was wheelchair -bound when visited by European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal a fortnight ago. Currently competing in the Spanish Open, Olazabal received a phone call from Ballesteros’s daughter on Thursday night to inform him of the golfing maestro’s critical medical condition.
“Seve was the biggest inspiration for me, without a doubt. I didn’t know what the Ryder Cup was all about before my debut at Muirfield Village (in 1987). He took me under his wing. I saw the way he fought until the end and his passion for winning. It’s something I’ve carried on, or at least I’ve tried to keep with me,” remarked Olazabal upon his appointment as Ryder Cup captain for next year’s match in the United States.
Former US Masters champion Ben Crenshaw once remarked of Ballesteros, “Seve plays shots I don’t even see in my dreams”.
Ballesteros, a winner of three British Opens and two US Masters, became one of the true greats of European golf in a career which saw him win 50 times on the PGA European Tour and a total of 87 times worldwide.
Among his wins were three Irish Opens (1983, ’85 and ’86), whilst a life-size statue is located at The Heritage club in Killenard, Co Laois, where he co-designed the course with Jeff Howes and which played host to the 2007 Seve Trophy, an event between Britain and Ireland against continental Europe played in his honour.
Ballesteros, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid Airport in October 2008 and two days later came confirmation he had a brain tumour.
He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary 10 days later because he had suffered a brain edema.
After two more operations he eventually left hospital and while starting treatment launched the Severiano Ballesteros Foundation, created to help fight brain tumours.
“I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination,” he said at the time.
“For these reasons I am following strictly all the instructions that the doctors are giving me. Besides, the physiotherapists are doing a great job on me and I feel better every day.”
His first public appearance came in June 2009, when he said it was a “miracle” to be alive, but after setting himself the target of appearing in the 2010 Open at St Andrews – not for the event itself, but for the four-hole Champions challenge – he was not well enough to attend.
Nor has he been able to go to The Masters for the annual Champions Dinner, but Phil Mickelson had a Spanish menu in his honour last month and spoke of how Ballesteros had inspired him to take up the game.
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