Madrid: Seve Ballesteros is on course to make an emotional return to St Andrews in July for a special four-hole event on the eve of the British Open, according to the president of the Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG).
"He wants to be on the first tee at St Andrews for the four-hole tournament and he will probably be there," Gonzaga Escauriaza told reporters.
"Seve is doing much better. He was doing very well last summer when he started playing again but then he went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy -- that weakened him a bit but now he's started to get better and better."
Five-times major winner Ballesteros was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour in 2008 which required four operations.
The 52-year-old Spaniard is among 32 former champions who have been invited to play four holes at St Andrews on July 14, the day before the 150th anniversary British Open.
Previous winners like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Peter Thomson, Gary Player and Nick Faldo are also scheduled to play the first, second, 17th and 18th holes on the Old Course.
"He (Ballesteros) will be very happy to be there and I've met his son and he said he wants to caddie for him," said Escauriaza. "All his family are very motivated for him to come back to the game.
"It will be very emotional for a lot of people and for him too because of course he won at St Andrews in 1984. He has started to practice again and is able to play some holes especially as his home is right near to a course."
Escauriaza also said Ballesteros was fully behind the RFEG's bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and France are the other countries in the running, with the winning bid to be decided in April 2011.
"He (Ballesteros) wants the Ryder Cup to be held in Spain," said Escauriaza. "He is with us and that is very good news.”
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, March 07, 2010, 15:21