Seve shows marked progress

Ballesteros: encouraging progress

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Seve Ballesteros continues to make progress in his recovery from brain surgery and is now conscious and able to converse with his family, the hospital treating him have reported.

The Spaniard has undergone three operations since been diagnosed with a brain tumour in early October.

The third and most lengthy procedure took place on Friday 24th October with the aim of alleviating pressure on the brain caused by an edema and removing the remaining tumour tissues.

Doctors announced themselves satisfied with how that operation had gone and have now given an encouraging bulletin on the 51-year-old's subsequent progress.

"Ballesteros continues to evolve favorably. He is conscious, is breathing spontaneously and can talk with his family," a statement from the La Paz hospital in Madrid read.

"He has begun to receive rehabilitation treatment in the intensive care unit."

The five-time major winner was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour having lost consciousness and collapsed at Madrid Barajas airport.

The Spaniard had an initial operation to remove part of the tumour, then required a second emergency procedure after a build-up of pressure inside his skull caused a loss of consciousness, before undergoing his third some ten days ago.

Ballesteros is one of the greats of European and world golf having won the Open Championship on three occasions (1979, 1984 and 1988) and The Masters twice (1980 and 1983).

The charismatic Spaniard also has a great Ryder Cup pedigree having taken 20 points from his 37 matches in the event and also captained Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997.