Seve optimistic about comeback chances

Seve Ballesteros, who admitted in May he may never play competitively again, hopes to be back in tournament action before the end of the year.

The five-time major winner has not played in a tournament since October last year as he tries to overcome the effects of arthritis in his back.

But speaking on the eve of the 133rd British Open championship at Royal Troon, Ballesteros was cautiously optimistic about his chances of returning to the European Tour.

“It’s better but I’m not ready,” said Ballesteros, who won three British Open titles between 1979 and 1988 but missed the cut on his last six appearances and has not played in the event since 2001.

“I have to feel 100% ready physically and then I need some time to regain my game because I haven’t been playing for seven months.

“Hopefully I’ll be back before the year is over. I try my best but I don’t have a date. I want to be sure when I come back I am not going home the following week.

"The doctors have differing opinions. Doctors are like golf teachers. I’m trying to be as patient as I can and see what time brings up.

“I’m not taking any painkillers, just stretching for an hour a day and exercising and I’ve lost a lot of weight, about 12lbs. The problem is that if I practice and play constantly the pain comes and it becomes more difficult. You should never lose hope.”

Ballesteros is at Troon to work as a television commentator and watch son Javier play in the junior British Open, but admitted it was hard to be limited to the role of observer.

“It’s very sad to be here and not to be able to play because the (British) Open has, as all of you are aware, always been the number one tournament in the world,” added the 47-year-old.

“To live 200 yards from the first tee and not be able to tee off is kind of difficult but I’m just trying to be patient.”

Paul Lawrie’s victory at Carnoustie in 1999 remains the last time a European player has claimed a major title, and Ballesteros does not hold out much hope for an end to that depressing sequence this week.

“It seems in the majors there are only a few guys who are always there; Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods,” added Ballesteros whose last major title came in the British Open at Royal Lytham in 1988.

“I don’t really see many Europeans in good form at the present moment. Perhaps Sergio Garcia is the only one playing well in America the last four or five weeks. It’s about time a European won one but I’m not very optimistic.”

Ballesteros is similarly downbeat about the impact modern technology is having on the game, and feels there is a dearth of flair players on the circuit.

The Spaniard feels the key to links golf “depends on how much skill and imagination you have” and added: “I don’t see any players with much.

“They all play very well and hit drivers with the new technology and hit the ball forever and demolish the golf courses. I don’t really see the guys with that type of skill I had.

“Technology is so good it’s taking away skill. It’s very hard to move the ball left or right. Even if you hit it left it comes back to the middle of the fairway, it looks like the ball has radar.”