Seve Ballesteros, the five-time major winner, has spoken for the first time about the moment he collapsed at Madrid airport and his battle with brain cancer began. The Spaniard was diagnosed with the disease in October after he collapsed on an escalator on his way to launching a new range of golf clubs. Ballesteros recalls falling down but, not wanting to make a fuss, managed to drag himself to his waiting nephew, Ivan.
"I just got into the car and told him, 'If you knew what had happened to me'," said the 51-year-old who immediately sought expert help. "They were very clear with me," he said. "They told me, 'This is a tumour, it is lucky it is in a place on the right side [of the brain]'. "I was shocked. You are fine and suddenly they tell you that, can you imagine? It is dreadful." Since then Ballesteros has had three operations and is on his fourth course of chemotherapy.
As a result of a new fitness regime he is now 75kg, the weight he was when he became the youngest player to win the Masters in 1980, a record since surpassed by Tiger Woods. Meanwhile sponsors Volvo and event organisers IMG announced yesterday a revised date for the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain. The tournament will, subject to final confirmation by the European Tour, be played on Oct 29 to Nov 1 at Finca Cortesín near Marbella to avoid a clash with the US Tour's prestigious Tour Championship. The event will start a three-week countdown to the inaugural Dubai World Championship.
Mikko Ilonen is on course to qualify for the British Open after carding a six-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead over Terry Pilkadaris in the Asian International Final Qualifying in Singapore yesterday. * Reuters
