Golf legend Seve Ballesteros, part magician, part escape artist and all champion, dies at the age of 54 Saturday morning in Spain.

The Spaniard, a five-times major winner, had been recuperating at his home in northern Spain after four operations on a brain tumour diagnosed in late 2008, followed by a course of chemotherapy.

“Today, at 2.10 a.m. Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena,” the family said in a statement on the player’s personal website (www.seveballesteros.com).

Regarded by many as golf’s greatest shot-maker, Ballesteros won 87 titles worldwide, 50 of them on the European Tour.

World number one Lee Westwood described Ballesteros as an “inspiration, genius, role model, hero and friend,” in a poignant message on his Twitter feed.

“Seve made European golf what it is today,” Westwood added. “RIP Seve.”

A winner of three British 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 was a game-changer,” fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia said. “To come from where he did and do what he did was amazing.”

“A sporting legend in every sense & great friend–keep fighting the fight!” John Daly Tweeted. “Remember how you inspired many generations! Praying for u!”

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said the inspirational Ballesteros would leave a powerful legacy.

“Seve’s unique legacy must be the inspiration he has given to so many to watch, support, and play golf, and finally to fight a cruel illness with equal flair, passion, and fierce determination,” O’Grady said in a statement.

“We have all been so blessed to live in his era. He was the inspiration behind the European Tour.”

The tumour, the size of two golf balls, was discovered after Ballesteros collapsed at Madrid airport and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The final cause of death was respiratory problems, Saturday’s statement added.

John Daly - Hole 5 at Torrey Pines

“never said retirement in anything or twitter-i want to correct that! simply sayin I need my time & working through these bad times thank you”

“i want to thank my fans throughout all these years & I don’t like to continue to embarass myself– maybe my mind may change down the road but right now i don’t have the money to be on the tour. My game has never been the same since my rib injury during the Honda Classic in 2007. God Bless! JD”

These are just a few things John Daly posted on his Twitter account and Facebook about his comment of quitting golf. After failing to make the cut at Torrey Pine ( Farmers Insurance Open), John made a comment to the Golf Channel producer he was quitting golf.

I don’t see John leaving the game he loves. With the injury at the Honda Classic in 2007 and his rapid weight loss, his body is having a tough time adjusting to the demand of the game.

John will be back and we believe you will find him at the AT&T Pebble Beach tournament, February 8-14th.

Photo: John Daly tees off at No. 5 on the Torrey Pines South Course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday. Credit: Denis Poroy / Associated Press

Many people, both inside and outside the gallery ropes, have weighed in on the Tiger Woods situation.

Some have been somewhat supportive of Tiger, others have condemned him and others want to merely change the subject. The gamut of opinions has been interesting, but one person’s I’ve found most compelling is that of John Daly.

We don’t have to review Daly’s life of hard times on and off the PGA tour. He was suspended once for conduct unbecoming of a PGA member, he’s been married four times with one of his wives spending time in prison for a federal offense.

He once played in pro-am without a shirt and hit tee shots off the top of a beer can during an exhibition. On another occasion, he finished a practice round in his bare feet after he gave a fan his golf shoes while walking up the 18th fairway.

Tiger was one of many who criticized Daly for this kind of behavior. Yet, when Daly was presented with a free shot to take a swipe at Tiger, he refused. Instead, he was supportive, saying the PGA tour needs Tiger more than Tiger needs the tour.

Daly hoped Tiger would get his personal life in order; that saving his marriage was more important than golf at this point and that he hoped Tiger and wife, Elin, would stay together not because of their children or monetary benefits but that they stay together because they loved each other.

Daly even said he tried to reach Tiger to offer him some help, if he wanted help from a guy who understood more than anyone what it meant to be under the microscope.

If anyone would feel the need to gloat over Tiger’s difficult times, it would be Daly. Yet, he felt compelled to take the high road.

Which is another reason to root for Daly.

Thanks to Bruce Buratti for content.