Seve Ballesteros has suffered a "severe deterioration" of his neurological condition, his family have revealed.
Family releases statement about Spanish legend
Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros has suffered a "severe deterioration" of his condition, his family said in a statement on his website on Friday.
The five-time major winner underwent surgery for a brain tumour three years ago followed by a course of chemotherapy.
"The Ballesteros family informs that Seve's neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration," said a statement on the golfer's website, www.seveballesteros.com.
"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 had four operations to remove the tumour following his collapse at Madrid airport in October 2008.
He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Seve, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, had a second course of chemotherapy at Madrid's Le Paz Hospital in February 2009 and said on his website at the time: "The results of the check-up were really positive, better even than the first ones."
His public appearances since then have been limited.
He first appeared post-surgery in May 2009 when he went to watch local soccer team Racing Santander and was given a standing ovation.
In December 2009 Seve appeared on television to receive the BBC's Lifetime Achievement Award from his great friend and Ryder Cup colleague Jose Maria Olazabal at the Sports Personality of the Year event.
However, he has rarely been seen in public since March 2010 when he fell off a golf cart and banged his head on the ground and he was not well enough to attend last year's Open at St Andrews in July, where he was due to take part in a special four-hole Champions Challenge.
The 54-year-old is now being cared for at home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena.
Affection
The affection for Seve in the game is huge and last month Phil Mickelson decided on a Spanish menu for the Champions Dinner at The Masters in Augusta in honour of Ballesteros.
Seve won The Masters in 1980 and 1983 while he delighted British crowds with his three Open victories in 1979, 1984 and 1988.
He was also a huge influence in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe win the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another triumph on his home Spanish soil in Valderrama in 1997.
Ballesteros won the last of his 50 European Tour titles at the Peugeot Spanish Open in 1995.
