• European Tour

Ballesteros will 'probably' play at St Andrews event

ESPN staff
March 6, 2010
Seve Ballesteros was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 © Getty Images
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Seve Ballesteros will 'probably' compete in a special four-hole event at St. Andrews prior to the start of the Open Championship, according to the president of the Spanish Golf Federation.

Organisers have invited 32 former Open champions to the event, organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the competition. Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Nick Faldo are scheduled to play in the July tournament.

"[Ballesteros] wants to be on the first tee at St Andrews for the four-hole tournament and he will probably be there," RFEG president Gonzaga Escauriaza said.

"All his family are very motivated for him to come back to the game. He has started to practice again and is able to play some holes especially as his home is right near to a course."

The 52-year-old Spaniard, winner of five Major titles, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 which has required four operations. Escauriaza had encouraging news about the former Ryder Cup captain's convalescence following that treatment.

"Seve is doing much better. He was doing very well last summer when he started playing again, but then he went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy - that weakened him a bit but now he's started to get better and better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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