TRIBUTES are being paid to golf legend Seve Ballesteros who died today aged 54 at his home in Spain.

The family of the popular Spaniard, who won five majors and was instrumental in growing golf's popularity, announced he had passed away at 1.10am today due to respiratory failure.

Ballesteros had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008.

Julian Small, chief executive of Wentworth Golf Club, where Ballesteros won five times, said: ''Seve was a great champion. He was a swashbuckling man, a handsome man who really entertained the crowd.''

Ballesteros had joined forces with Cancer Research UK to raise money for the charity to help fund research into brain cancer.

Today the chief executive of Cancer Research UK Harpal Kumar said: ''We're very saddened to hear that Seve Ballesteros has lost his fight against brain cancer.

''Seve was a hero to many for all he achieved during his career, but never more so than in the months after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. His personal battle against the disease, and his determination to help others through his Foundation, was truly inspirational.

Ballesteros, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid Airport in October 2008 and two days later came confirmation that he had a brain tumour.

He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

''I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination,'' he said at the time.

He won the Open three times, the Masters twice and played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later.

Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 at the age of 16 and made his first huge impact two years later by finishing second in the Open alongside Jack Nicklaus at Royal Birkdale.

His first major title came in the 1979 Open at Royal Lytham, he then became Masters champion in 1980 and 1983 and lifted the Claret Jug again at St Andrews in 1984 - his greatest moment really - and back at Lytham in 1988.

After a total of 87 tournament wins, his retirement came following years of battling an arthritic back and knee problems.