Seve back on tour but future remains unclear

SEVE BALLESTEROS makes his first appearance for almost four months in the BMW International Open today but serious question marks remain over his future.

"I will play when I feel, simple as that," a subdued Ballesteros said as he prepared for his first tournament since missing the cut in the Benson and Hedges International in May. The 46-year-old was last seen on tour when he pulled out of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth citing the 'flu, the day after he had been fined and severely reprimanded by the tour for his conduct at the Italian Open.

The five-time Major winner was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score after refusing to accept a one-stroke penalty for slow play and altering his card. He then accused the European Tour 'mafia' of waging 'a war' against him, alleging officials were out to get him because of his membership of the so-called 'Gang of Four' who complained about how the tour was being run.

Ballesteros also claimed the Seve Trophy a Ryder Cup-style competition between teams from Europe and Great Britain and Ireland would not survive because the tour's executive director Ken Schofield was against it as the tour "don't have any piece of the cake".

This year's contest goes ahead in Spain in November however, and it is one of only four tournaments he has committed to for the rest of 2003.

"I have a great record over the years and am very grateful for the game and have nothing else to prove," added Ballesteros, who has not won a tournament since 1995. "I have the freedom to do what I like, there are not many professions you have the chance to do what you like. That's the beautiful thing."

Ballesteros also returned to action at this event last year following a self-imposed two-month exile from the game, but asked why he had taken an even longer break this time would only say: "I don't have any answer for that. I just decided to go home and stay with my family. That's the best place. I have exercised a little, looked after my golf course design business and worked on my game with my brother at San Roque. I also tested the new Callaway driver and ball.

"I felt the BMW tournament was one to come to. This is a good venue and I felt it was the right time to start."

One person delighted to see him back in action was defending champion Thomas Bjorn, one of the favourites for the €300,000 first prize in Munich. "It's fantastic to see him back," said Bjorn. "I hope he has sorted out all the things he needs to and is able to come out and compete.

"There are an awful lot of players who have not seen him play well and don't understand what he has done for the game in Europe. The tour is what it is because of one man and that's Seve. There are a lot of young players out there with no understanding of that and they lack a lot of respect. It is a shame to see. I was fortunate, I actually played with him in the final round when he had his last top 10 finish in 1998.

"You can't put words to how good he was and it's a shame to hear people lacking the respect for him as the golfer he was."