Send your get-well wishes to Seve

Severiano Ballesteros is being prepared for chemotherapy treatment after surgeons confirmed yesterday that they had removed a tumour from his brain during a 12-hour operation.

The decision to remove a “sizeable” part of the tumour rather than perform a biopsy, as originally planned, appears to indicate that the growth is malignant rather than benign. The three-times Open winner was said to be conscious and resting in the intensive care unit at La Paz hospital in Madrid last night after the operation.

It was noted yesterday that the first indication that something was seriously wrong was when Ballesteros, 51, suffered an epileptic fit. This appears to suggest that the tumour is a primary growth in his brain rather than a secondary tumour that has spread from elsewhere in his body.

Dr Thomas Stuttaford, who writes for The Times, said yesterday: “Eighty-five per cent of all primary cerebral tumours are malignant and by definition all secondary tumours are also malignant. The prognosis is inevitably worrying.”

A statement issued by the hospital yesterday said that the objective of the lengthy operation had been a resection of the tumour. Such a procedure is to remove as much of the tumour as possible before chemotherapy or radiotherapy is started.

“The operation, aimed at removing a brain tumour, began at 9am and ended without complications,” the statement read. “The patient will spend a post-operative period in the intensive care unit.

“He is currently conscious and in a stable condition, although he cannot receive visitors in the next few days until he recovers from surgery. The next medical report will be given when the patient moves to the ward, which will probably be next week.” However, it is believed that Carmen Botin, Ballesteros’s former wife, and their three children were allowed to be at his bedside after he returned from the operating theatre.

Alberto Isla, the head of the hospital’s neurosurgery unit, led the team that performed the operation.

At the beginning of last week Ballesteros fainted at Madrid airport on his way to a golf exhibition in Germany and was taken to hospital for tests and observation. At first the Spaniard issued a statement saying that he “felt well” but at the end of last week was said to have suffered an epileptic fit and on Sunday he confirmed rumours that were sweeping Madrid that he was suffering from a brain tumour. “I am ready to confront the most difficult game of my life,” Ballesteros said.

Golfers, amateur and professional, enthusiasts and sports followers around the world have expressed their sympathy for him and their wishes for his speedy recovery. When Steve Webster won the Portugal Masters last year, the Englishman received a voicemail message from Ballesteros congratulating him on his victory. He has kept the message and will no doubt be listening to it for inspiration when he begins the defence of his title on the Algarve today.

“Seve’s my hero,” Webster, who played a practice round with the Spaniard in South Africa in the mid-Nineties and has kept in contact since, said.

“Growing up he was my favourite. From then on, Seve always came to me, no matter where he was, and asked me how I was doing. He wanted to know how I was playing, if I wanted a practice round or needed any help. He just inspired me.

“I would love to win this week and give him a pat on the back. When I won in Italy \ I got a letter from him out of the blue and I’ve got it hanging up at home. He signed it saying, ‘Congratulations, and a lot more will come out of your career.’ He has always been very special to me and my fingers are crossed that everything goes well.”

Ballesteros won nearly 90 titles in his career, including five of the game’s greatest prizes, the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the Masters in 1980 and 1983. He also played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches as well as captaining Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997.