Golf: Messages of support continued to flood in for Seve Ballesteros today after it was confirmed that the Spanish golfing great has a brain tumour.
The 51-year-old collapsed at Madrid airport a week ago and was in intensive care for five days, with doctors releasing a statement saying that he had suffered "a partial epileptic fit". He undergoes a biopsy tomorrow.
Speaking on behalf of the European Tour, chairman Neil Coles said: "Everyone connected with the European Tour will be shocked to hear this news.
"We are confident that Seve will conquer this challenge with the same determination he has brought to all previous challenges."
Ballesteros, who retired from the game last year, commented in a statement: "Now I have been able to inform my three children and their mother, now I can tell you about the illness that I am suffering.
"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.
"Next 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."
Former Ryder Cup partner Jose Maria Olazabal visited Ballesteros after playing at the Madrid Masters and said: "I saw Seve looking very well. We were speaking for quite a little while. I wish him a prompt recovery."
Seve Ballesteros Factfile
1957- Born April 9, Pedrena, Spain, the son of a farmer.
1965- Uncle Ramon Sota finishes sixth in the Masters.
1974- Turns professional. Eight days after 17th birthday, scores 83 in first European Tour round at Spanish Open. With second-round 76 finishes 118th out of 135, but in October finishes fifth at Italian Open.
1976- Leads the Open at Birkdale for the first three days before finishing second to Johnny Miller. Four weeks later wins first European Tour title at Dutch Open and tops Order of Merit - with €21,494 total earnings.
1977- Wins seven times around the world and wins Order of Merit again.
1978- First victory in America at Greater Greensboro Open, plus seven other wins. European number one for third successive year.
1979- Wins British Open at Royal Lytham, earning title "car park champion" from beaten American Hale Irwin for one particular shot. Makes Ryder Cup debut.
1980- Wins Masters at Augusta, the first European ever to do so. Was 10 ahead with nine to play, but wins by four.
1981- Wins first of five World Match Play titles at Wentworth. Left out of Ryder Cup team in dispute with European Tour.
1983- Wins second Masters by four again, firing final-round 69 while co-leaders Ray Floyd and Craig Stadler score 75 and 76.
1984- Stops Tom Watson achieving record-equalling sixth Open title, with a closing birdie at St Andrews the sweetest moment of his career.
1985- Helps Europe to first Ryder Cup victory since 1957. With four more wins on European Tour has already captured 27 titles.
1986- European number one again with record six victories, but misses chance of another Masters after hitting into the water on the 15th. Nicklaus wins
instead, aged 46.
1987- Part of European side that wins on American soil for first time. Start of partnership with Jose Maria Olazabal that brings 11 wins, two halves and only two defeats.
1988- Last-round 65 brings third Open victory and second at Royal Lytham. Tops Order of Merit for fifth time. Marries banker's daughter Carmen Botin.
1989- Europe triumph at The Belfry again. Ballesteros and Olazabal unbeaten on first two days, but he then loses in controversial fashion to Paul Azinger.
1990- Becomes father to Baldomero.
1991- European number one for sixth time. Involved in more controversy with Azinger during a Kiawah Island, 'War on the Shore', cup match. Does Wentworth double of Volvo PGA (after play-off with Colin Montgomerie) and fifth World Match Play.
1992- Second son Miguel is born.
1994- Daughter Carmen is born.
1995- 50th European Tour win at Spanish Open proves to be his last, as does his eighth Ryder Cup cap in dramatic win at Oak Hill.
1997- Non-playing captain as Ryder Cup is successfully defended at Valderrama in first match on Spanish soil, but drops to lowest-ever 136th on Order of Merit.
1998- Last top-10 finish on European Tour comes at Dubai Desert Classic.
2001- Falls outside Europe's top 200.
2002- Cuts back schedule to just nine events in Europe because of back trouble, but still beats Montgomerie in the Seve Trophy for a second successive time.
2003- Fined and reprimanded by Tour after calling them "PGA Mafia", having refused to accept slow play penalty. Loses heavily to Montgomerie in rematch and does not play again for two years.
2005- After break-up of marriage comes out of retirement at Madrid Open, but shoots 77-73. Does not play again for eight months, but is involved in ugly clash with a Tour referee at his home club.
2006- Scores 81-81 for last place on return at French Open, then 74-77 in first Open appearance since 2001.
2007- Returns to Masters after four-year gap, but shoots 86-80 in what turn out to be his final rounds. 50th birthday three days later is followed by US Seniors Tour debut in May, but on 16 over par he finishes joint last with 67-year-old Lee Trevino.
July 16: Announces retirement from golf.
2008- October 12: Reveals in a statement he has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing at Madrid airport on October 6.
