More surgery for Seve

Ballesteros: Second operation

Also see

• Support for Seve
• Murray on Seve
• Golf Night on Seve

Doctors at Madrid's La Paz hospital have revealed that Seve Ballesteros has suffered complications following surgery to remove a brain tumour.

In a statement, the hospital said that the 51-year-old had to undergo another procedure, known as a decompressive craniectomy, after a build-up of pressure inside his skull caused a loss of consciousness.

"The patient, Mr Severiano Ballesteros, showed, 48 hours after surgery, a decreased level of consciousness due to brain swelling, and a decompressive craniectomy was carried out," the statement read.

"His situation at present is stable and is controlled in the Intensive Care Unit."

Dr Geoff Pilkington, a brain tumour specialist at the University of Portsmouth, said doctors would have removed a piece of Ballesteros' skull to release pressure caused by swelling.

Doctors removed a sizeable part of the tumour on Tuesday. It was not immediately known whether it was malignant.

Ballesteros ended rumours surrounding his health on Sunday with the announcement that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

He was taken to the hospital on October 6 after collapsing and briefly losing consciousness at Madrid airport.

Ballesteros' flamboyant and imaginative style of play brought him five majors in all, with Open successes in 1979, 1984 and 1988 complemented by Masters wins in 1980 and 1983.

He has also been an influential figure in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches and captaining Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997.