Seve Ballesteros fights brain tumor diagnosis

MADRID, Spain (AP) — After an illustrious career marked by nearly as many achievements as unimaginable golf shots — including an unforgettable one from a parking lot during his first British Open win, Seve Ballesteros was preparing for the "hardest challenge" of his life Sunday after learning he has a brain tumor.

A five-time major winner, the 51-year-old Ballesteros was set to undergo a biopsy Tuesday before doctors would determine how to proceed. He was admitted to a hospital Monday after briefly losing consciousness.

"Once I had been able to inform my three children personally and their mother, I can now communicate to you the illness I am suffering from. After an in-depth checkup which has been carried out on me in the La Paz Hospital they have detected a brain tumor," Ballesteros said.

Ballesteros did not give any more details on the test results. It was unknown whether the tumor was benign or malignant.