[shari91]

GOLFER Seve Ballesteros has been blessed by a priest in a ceremony reserved for Catholics who are dangerously ill or close to death. The golfing legend received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, according to Spanish national newspaper El Mundo.

The Anointing of the Sick is one part of the Last Rites ritual in the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile Spanish tennis star Rafa Nadal said: "Seve is one of this country's great sportsmen. I've been lucky enough to meet him and play golf with him.

"I sincerely wish him the best. Please God he can get through this as well."

The star said he was sorry Ballesteros was "going through such agony" and added: "Life is cruel."

Ballesteros has suffered a "severe deterioration" as he battles a brain tumour, his family said.

The five-time major winning Spaniard, who is being cared for at home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, is recovering from surgeries performed in 2008 to remove a malignant tumor from his brain.

A statement on his official website read: "The family of Seve Ballesteros can report a severe deterioration in his neurological condition."

Ballesteros, 54, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid Airport in October 2008 and two days later it was confirmed he was suffering from a brain tumour.

He won the British Open three times, the British Masters twice and played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later.

Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 at the age of 16 and made his first huge impact two years later by finishing second in the Open alongside Jack Nicklaus at Royal Birkdale.

His first major title came in the 1979 British Open at Royal Lytham, he then became Masters champion in 1980 and 1983 and lifted the Claret Jug again at St Andrews in 1984 - arguably his greatest moment - and back at Lytham in 1988.

After a total of 87 tournament wins, his retirement came following years of battling an arthritic back and knee problems.

He was planning a farewell appearance for British fans at last year's Open at St Andrews - not in the main event, but in the four-hole Champions Challenge - but was not well enough to travel.

Only last month Phil Mickelson decided on a Spanish menu for the Champions Dinner at The Masters in Augusta in honour of Ballesteros.

UPDATE: The golf great died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, in northern Spain.

RIP Sevie.

[stealthyburrito]

to hear about, and to witness a last rites ritual is utterly sobering to the soul.

for men like this, i hope there is a god to accept them into his graces.

[LVBOUND]

God bless him. I remember when I was growing up my dad would always talk about Stevie.

[Greekster]

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=6498364

[Nats' Fan]

Rest in Peace.

[No coincidences]

That sucks.

[boeing power]

great player, greater person, we're with you walking down the 18th champ

[ttwarrior1]

he was tiger woods before there was tiger woods, did great things

[Mac4Lyfe]

Much too young to die. My dad died from a Brain tumor as well. Sucks

May God rest his soul and give comfort to his family.

[barcelonafc]

Rip seve

[gregm]

My dad has been to every Masters since 1975 and he told me he tonight he saw Seve win at the masters in 1980, alot of the guys were in disbelief a guy so young and a European had won the Masters but the women at the event loved him. Everyone came to respect him by the time he won in 83. He will be remembered at the Masters forever. R.I.P. Seve Ballesteros.

[Iona]

One of the greatest "shot makers" ever. God bless him, RIP.

[StraitShooter]

RIP Seve

[Cap dat 4ss]

During such sad and sobering moments it's nice to remember people in the good times...

RIP Seve

[mikejamm]

Nice tribute read Shari. Sad story, Seve was one of the best. If you love or follow golf, you know this guy was phenomenal, he absolutely owned the British Open, British Masters and European Ryder Cups during the '80's! Descansa en paz amigo.

[CarolinaDaze]

I was born and raised in Augusta, as a kid i use to swing some old beat up clubs and pretend to be Seve winning the Green Jacket. Charming as he was Talented, R.I.P. Brother

[Roxxyfish]

good guy

[doublej95]

Very sad he died to young. Golf has lost a great guy.

[VegasInsider]

RIP Seve

[Dirty Sanchez]

RIP Seve....a Euro who actually was truly respected in the US as a good guy

[DaHoss]

Seve and Sandy Lyle were the two golfers I admired most growing up .Tough to see him go so young. RIP Seve

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I hate "Last Rites". What if a guy spits in the face of death and comes back?

RIP, Seve.

[str]

Very sad day.

[chunk]

One of the best golf imaginations of all time....could make par from anywhere. A class act that will be missed.

[shari91]

I hate "Last Rites". What if a guy spits in the face of death and comes back? RIP, Seve.

Yeah, I wish that were the case. His death has upset me much more than I'd thought it would - but I now realise why. Not only was he one of the greatest at a time when both of my (now deceased) parents were around to savour golf but Sevie was a clever magician. Some of his shots were like someone had picked up the ball mid-flight and just carried them for awhile until they decided to plop them down in a beautiful spot.

I hope his family and friends provided as much happiness and fulfilment to him as he did to those who love golf and admire what he contributed to the sport.

[tanner40]

RIP

[Art Vandeleigh]

There's a very nice 13 minute tribute to him, including a great interview, on the European PGA site

http://www.europeantour.com/

Click the box that says "Seve Ballesteros - A Tribute to a Legend"