Golf legend Ballesteros to undergo third operation

MADRID (AFP) - Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros is in serious condition and will undergo a third operation on Friday to remove the rest of a brain tumour, the Madrid hospital where he is being treated said.

Ballesteros was taken to La Paz Hospital on October 6 after he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness (© AFP/File - Glenn Campbell)

"Ballesteros remains in serious and stable condition and will undergo a new operation tomorrow (Friday)," the La Paz Hospital said in a statement.

The operation will seek to "remove the remains of the tumour."

Ballesteros, who collected 87 titles before knee and back problems forced him to retire last year, was taken to La Paz Hospital on October 6 after he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness at Madrid airport.

The 51-year-old underwent surgery on October 14 to remove the brain tumour.

Two days later, he underwent a second operation to ease a build-up of fluid in the brain.

Ballesteros won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Augusta Masters in 1980, a title he repeated in 1983.

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

Known for his flamboyant and imaginative style of play, he won one of his three British Open titles by playing a shot from a temporary parking lot.