Seve still hopeful on Open

Ballesteros at press conference

I would like to show up at St Andrews this coming year because St Andrews is a very special place.

Seve Ballesteros
Quotes of the week

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Seve Ballesteros remains hopeful of competing at next year's Open Championship at St Andrews.

The five-time major winner is continuing his recovery from a life-threatening brain tumour and has recently been undergoing a course of radiotherapy.

The Spaniard admitted his ongoing treatment had been difficult, but insisted that "the worst moments have passed".

However, he conceded it was still too soon to guarantee he would appear at St Andrews in 2010, but was cautiously optimistic he would be able to honour his pledge.

"It's still a long way before we can make any decisions," he stated.

"I would like to show up at St. Andrews this coming year because St. Andrews is a very special place."

Under-par

Ballesteros went on to insist his overall health was "under-par" and remained typically upbeat about his latest round of treatment, comparing it to his battles on the course.

"(I'm handling the radiotherapy) as I did many times in tournaments when I had to play between two trees," he went on. "A little more difficult, but similar. The worst moments have passed."

Ballesteros was speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Wednesday - his first since his life-saving surgery - where it was announced that his charity, the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, had agreed a partnership with the Volvo Match Play Championship.

The event, which has replaced the Volvo Masters on the European calendar, has moved from Wentworth to the Finca Cortesin golf club in Andalusia and will take place at the end of the month.

Ballesteros spoke of his delight at becoming the tournament's official charity and revealed he was hoping to make an appearance at the event.

Delight

"The World Match Play Championship is very special to me, so I am particularly delighted that the event is partnering with my Foundation," added the 52-year-old who won the tournament five times at Wentworth.

"I am so happy this great tournament has moved to Spain, and if my health allows me I am looking forward to being there later this month."