Seve set to leave intensive care

• Friday, 14 November 2008
• Michael Weston
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Seve Ballesteros could soon leave intensive care

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Seve Ballesteros looks set to be released from intensive care next week, according to reports from Spain.

The golfing legend’s condition has been up and down since surgeons removed a brain tumour last month.

But La Paz hospital said in a statement on Friday that his condition "continues to improve".

Ballesteros was initially taken ill when he lost consciousness at Madrid Airport on his way to a golf exhibition in Munich.  

Fears were sparked that the underlying cause may have been more serious than first thought and a brain tumour was discovered days later.  

The Spaniard has now undergone surgery three times, which was complicated when swelling caused a worrying level of pressure on the brain.

A further operation was successful in relieving that pressure and Ballesteros spoke to his family for the first time a little over one week ago.

One of golf’s all time greats the charismatic Spaniard won a total of 87 titles including five Majors – three of them Open Championships and two Masters titles.  

In 1997 Ballesteros captained Europe to an emphatic win over America in the Ryder Cup at Valderrama.

But last summer the 51-year-old was forced to retire after persistent back pain and has since concentrated on his golf design business.

Where next?