Family: Spanish golfing great Ballesteros' condition worsens

Seve Ballesteros, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008, has suffered a "severe deterioration" in his health, the family of the Spanish golfing great said Friday.

In a statement posted on the golfer's Web site, the family said it will continue to provide updates about any change in Ballesteros' condition.

The statement added that the family "takes this opportunity of thanking everyone for the support that both Seve and his own family have been receiving during all this time."

Ballesteros, now 54, was diagnosed with two malignant brain tumors in October 2008 after he lost consciousness twice - at the Madrid international airport and at a restaurant in the Spanish capital.

The golfer was hospitalized for 72 days at Madrid's Hospital de La Paz and underwent four life-threatening operations to remove the tumors and reduce swelling inside his skull.

Ballesteros later went through several cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and also had to relearn basic motor skills that had been lost following the operations.