/ 21 October 2008

Ballesteros’s condition remains stable

Seve Ballesteros remained in stable condition in the intensive-care unit of a Madrid hospital on Monday, four days after he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, a hospital source said.

”The situation is the same as the last medical statement” on October 16, the source said.

The 51-year-old, who collected 87 titles before knee and back problems forced him to retire last year, underwent surgery last Tuesday to remove a brain tumour.

On Thursday, he ”suffered a loss of consciousness because of a cerebral oedema and had to undergo a decompressive craniectomy”, La Paz Hospital said afterwards. ”His situation is stable and is under control.”

A decompressive craniectomy involves removing part of the skull to relieve intracranial pressure.

Ballesteros was taken to La Paz Hospital on October 6 after he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness at Madrid airport.

Ballesteros won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and won 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. — Sapa-AFP