Seve Ballesteros dies

He died peacefully at 02:10 local time surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, northern Spain, after four operations on a brain tumour diagnosed in late 2008.

His family dressed him in his favourite golfing shirt, blue pullover and blue trousers, his tearful elder brother Baldomero said.

Baldomero Ballesteros explained they were the clothes the five-times Major winner usually wore during championships on his 'Sundays of glory'.

"I thought it was the best, and everyone nodded in agreement," Baldomero said.

"He said goodbye to us all one by one, he grabbed our hands and whispered in our ears. I told him 'I love you' and he replied 'I love you as well," he said.

"He knew he was dying, and he did everything showing great fortitude."

His family announced on Friday that his neurological condition had deteriorated severely. The final cause of death was respiratory problems.

The tumour was originally discovered after Ballesteros collapsed at Madrid airport and was rushed to a nearby hospital. After revealing in October 2008 that he had a brain tumour, Ballesteros had four operations before undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

He appeared in public again for the first time in mid-2009 to a standing ovation and only last October seemed in high spirits and was cracking jokes at a symposium on brain tumours supported by his foundation.

The Spaniard thrilled fans across the globe with his swashbuckling style, magical touch around the green, creativity and passion for the sport.

A winner of three Opens and two Masters titles, Ballesteros also helped revive Europe's fortunes in the Ryder Cup, breathing new life into the team competition against the United States.

He won 87 titles worldwide, 50 of them on the European Tour, and had the great satisfaction of captaining Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Valderrama in Spain in 1997.

Nearly everyone competing in the Spanish Open in Terrassa on Saturday wore black ribbons in tribute to Ballesteros, while organisers marked his death with a minute's silence at 14:45 local time.

Tears streamed down Jose Maria Olazabal's face as he stood in silence in memory of his great friend.

Behind Olazabal, flags at the El Prat course where the Spanish Open was being played flew at half-mast in tribute to a sporting icon.

After the minute's silence for the game's most charismatic figure, Olazabal sought solace from Miguel Angel Jimenez as he buried his head in his fellow-Spaniard's shoulder.

Olazabal, the man with most reason to mourn as Ballesteros's triumphant Ryder Cup partner, had faced a conflict with his own feelings.

He wanted to pull out of the tournament in respect of Ballesteros but also felt he had to play, just as his great friend would have wanted.

"Olly's first shot of the day was very emotional," playing partner Colin Montgomerie said. "He did well to play at all. They were like brothers."

The funeral will take place on Wednesday at the San Pedro parish church in his home village of Pedrena at 13:00 local time.

There will be a wake at his home to be attended only by close family and his ashes would be kept there after his cremation.

"Seve will be cremated at a ceremony that will be as intimate as possible and at a place that nobody will know," the Ballesteros family said.

"That was his express wish. His ashes will remain at his estate, at his home in Pedrena," they added.

"The funeral rites will be as simple as those for any neighbour from the village. He was born here and here he will remain," Baldomero Ballesteros added.