Spanish golf hero Severeano Ballesteros was confirmed on Sunday that he is suffering from brain cancer.

Ballesteros, 51, admitted to La Paz hospital on Monday after losing consciousness and was kept in intensive care until Thursday.

Seve Ballesteros of Spain competes in the Madrid Open golf tournament in this Oct. 26, 2001 file photo. Ballesteros was confirmed on Sunday that he is suffering from brain cancer. [Xinhua/Reuters]

He confirmed his illness in a statement. "After an exhaustive check-up in Hospital La Paz, they have detected that I have a brain tumor," he said.

"During my career I was one of the best at getting around the obstacles on a golf course and now I want to be the best in the most difficult match of my life, with all of my strength and counting on the support of all of those who have sent me messages of their solidarity," reads the statement.

"I have always shown solidarity with those who have had to deal with illness and I want to remind everyone that with courage, faith, serenity, confidence and a lot of mental strength, you can face any situation, no matter how difficult it is," Ballesteros said.

The Spaniard was born near Santander in the north of Spain. Before officially retiring from professional golf in 2007, he had won five majors. Ballesteros won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988. The U.S. Open in 1987 and the U.S. Masters in 1980 and 1983.

He will undergo a biopsy on his tumor on Tuesday and doctors will then decide on the best treatment.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2008)