A life-size statue of five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros, which vanished from his hometown of Pedrena in northern Spain, has been found chopped into pieces as the alleged thief prepared to sell it for its bronze, police said.
Valued at about 30,000 euros (£26,000), the artwork was found in a storage room in Santander, cut in half at the waist.
Although the torso and head were intact, the arms were broken into several pieces.
Police said a 22-year-old man with a criminal record for copper theft was arrested on Thursday, adding that more people could be involved.
Ballesteros, who also helped Europe win four Ryder Cups as a player and then captain, died aged 54 in 2011 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
