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.
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.
