Ballesteros to miss Open

GOLFING greats lined up yesterday to wish Seve Ballesteros well after hearing he will not be at St Andrews for The Open next month after all.

Ballesteros, whose life was saved by surgery after the discovery of a brain tumour 20 months ago, was hoping to play in the eve-of-championship four-hole Champions Challenge.

It would have been a tear-jerking return to the scene of his 1984 victory – perhaps the highlight of his glittering career – but the 53-year-old has accepted doctor’s advice not to subject himself to emotional stress.

Ballesteros said on his website: “I very much wanted to be at the British Open in St Andrews next month to personally thank all the golf fans and friends who have given me their support – not only during these two years when I have been recovering from my illness, but also to thank them for the affection they have shown during my golf career. I am aware that there might be people who have been preparing their trip to encourage and cheer me up. Hence, I do not want to disappoint anyone at the last minute and after listening to the doctors’ advice I have taken the difficult decision not to travel to St Andrews.”

Nick Faldo was hoping to partner Ballesteros in the Wednesday competition and said: “I will try to call him as soon as possible, he must be rough.

Ernie Els, like Faldo playing at the BMW International Open in Munich, added: “He’s the greatest and it’s a shame. Hopefully he will be fine.”

Sergio Garcia said: “It’s a tough illness and you never know what is going to happen. It’s disappointing, we were hoping he was getting better.”

Dr Belda, the oncologist who looks after Ballesteros at La Paz Hospital said: “Despite the excellent general state that Mr Ballesteros enjoys, we do not think the trip to Scotland this coming July would be appropriate.”