Surgeons 'begin third operation on Ballesteros'

MADRID (AFP) - Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros was Friday undergoing an operation, his third in 11 days, to ease swelling in his brain and remove the remains of a 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)

"The patient entered the operating room at 8:30am (0630 GMT) ... and the neurosurgeons began operating at 10:30am," a spokeswoman at La Paz hospital said.

"The operation may be completed after 7:00pm," she said.

The hospital on Thursday said the surgery was aimed at treating a brain oedema, which is swelling caused by a buildup of fluid, and an "intercerebral haematoma", or accumulation of blood in the brain.

Surgeons also hope to "remove the remains of the tumour," the statement said.

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.

The hospital said Thursday the tumour has been classified as an "oligoastrocytoma (which affects ... cells that cover and protect the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord). It is located in an area that requires a very thorough approach of great complexity."

Seen as one of golf's all-time greats, Ballesteros lifted five majors.

He won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Augusta Masters in 1980, an achievement 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.

Back problems though started to trouble him in the late 1990s and his form and confidence gradually ebbed away. On July 16, 2007, he announced his retirement, although having turned 50 he was eligible for the Champions Tour and European Seniors Tour.