Life-size statue of golf legend Seve Ballesteros stolen from his Spain hometown

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

A life-size statue of Seve Ballesteros that was installed in his hometown has been stolen, Spanish authorities said.

The statue, built in 2009, commemorates Ballesteros' win at the 1984 Open Championship at St. Andrews. The Spaniard died of brain cancer at age 54 in 2011.

"Earlier today we were informed that the statue dedicated to Seve Ballesteros in Pedreña has gone missing. The Local Police and the Civil Guard have launched an investigation to clarify what happened, and all indications suggest that it was a theft," the town council said Monday in an Instagram post.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

A statue of Seve Ballesteros celebrating his 1984 Open Championship win was stolen from his hometown on Monday, Spanish authorities said. (David Cannon, David Benito/Getty Images)

The Open Championship depicted in the statue was one of five majors the Hall of Famer won. He won the Masters twice along with two other Open Championships.

Ballesteros played a key role in what the Ryder Cup is today. The tournament had initially been between just the United States and Great Britain and Ireland, but it expanded to include all of Europe in 1979, making Ballesteros and other golf legends eligible.

It took a couple of events for Team Europe to become a force, but since the 1985 Ryder Cup, Team Europe is 13-6-1 and just won back-to-back Cups. 

Seve Ballesteros of Spain with an iron shot during the 112th Open Championship on July 14, 1983, at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, United Kingdom. (David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images)

TIGER WOODS SAYS BROOKS KOEPKA'S PGA TOUR RETURN IS 'INCREDIBLE FOR ALL THE FANS'

This past