Seve Ballesteros has made his first official public appearance since undergoing lifesaving surgery to remove a brain tumour last December to launch The Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
And the 52 year old admitted he has felt like he has been given a second chance at life.
"The first thing that I told the doctors after I woke up from the anaesthetic was that my new name was Seve Mulligan," he said in reference to the golf rule which permits a player to retake a shot.
"Nine months ago my life was hanging by a thread. I feel now like I have a mulligan in life."
The five-time Major winner was diagnosed with a brain tumour after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport last October.
He spent the next 66 days in La Paz hospital in Madrid where he underwent four operations before being allowed to return to his home in Bilbao on December 9.
Ballesteros has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since and got the chance to praise the doctors who performed the operations to remove the tumour, describing their work as "a miracle".
The charismatic Spaniard also likened his fight against the ailment to the birdie putt he sank on the 18th at St Andrews to help win the Open in 1984 - which he believes required a similar amount of willpower.
He added to BBC Sport: "My recovery is like The Open in 1984 when the ball hovered on the lip of the hole. With all my energy I willed the ball to drop in and it did. With that ability and the doctors' hands, I am here now."
The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will help investigation into Cancer. Seve’s website,www.seveballesteros.com, carried the following message;
Cancer is a disease that doesn’t differentiate between race, language or ages. It is really the true challenge that humanity has to win sooner or later. The Seve Ballesteros Foundation wishes to contribute as much as possible to the investigation against this disease.
“I understand very well all those suffering from severe illness as well as their families. I have been lucky enough to have a second chance and given my situation I can contribute to help others. It is my wish to offer some hope that one day a remedy to this severe problem is found. This will be the Foundation’s priority and thus, my decision to establish a charity organization bearing my name. It has been a tough time for me. The doctors at La Paz have saved my life and unending fight is necessary. The real battle is the fight against this type of illness. It is worth the effort.” – Seve Ballesteros
The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will also support young golfers with limited economic resources to develop their career in this sport.
“My beginnings as a caddy were not easy times. After that, some acquaintances helped me at the start of my sport career. Golf has given me everything and I am very much looking forward to help young golfers in need. Who knows, maybe some day, I could see one of the players who received the support of this Foundation as a top golfer.” – Seve Ballesteros.
And the 52 year old admitted he has felt like he has been given a second chance at life.
"The first thing that I told the doctors after I woke up from the anaesthetic was that my new name was Seve Mulligan," he said in reference to the golf rule which permits a player to retake a shot.
"Nine months ago my life was hanging by a thread. I feel now like I have a mulligan in life."
The five-time Major winner was diagnosed with a brain tumour after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport last October.
He spent the next 66 days in La Paz hospital in Madrid where he underwent four operations before being allowed to return to his home in Bilbao on December 9.
Ballesteros has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since and got the chance to praise the doctors who performed the operations to remove the tumour, describing their work as "a miracle".
The charismatic Spaniard also likened his fight against the ailment to the birdie putt he sank on the 18th at St Andrews to help win the Open in 1984 - which he believes required a similar amount of willpower.
He added to BBC Sport: "My recovery is like The Open in 1984 when the ball hovered on the lip of the hole. With all my energy I willed the ball to drop in and it did. With that ability and the doctors' hands, I am here now."
The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will help investigation into Cancer. Seve’s website,www.seveballesteros.com, carried the following message;
Cancer is a disease that doesn’t differentiate between race, language or ages. It is really the true challenge that humanity has to win sooner or later. The Seve Ballesteros Foundation wishes to contribute as much as possible to the investigation against this disease.
“I understand very well all those suffering from severe illness as well as their families. I have been lucky enough to have a second chance and given my situation I can contribute to help others. It is my wish to offer some hope that one day a remedy to this severe problem is found. This will be the Foundation’s priority and thus, my decision to establish a charity organization bearing my name. It has been a tough time for me. The doctors at La Paz have saved my life and unending fight is necessary. The real battle is the fight against this type of illness. It is worth the effort.” – Seve Ballesteros
The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will also support young golfers with limited economic resources to develop their career in this sport.
“My beginnings as a caddy were not easy times. After that, some acquaintances helped me at the start of my sport career. Golf has given me everything and I am very much looking forward to help young golfers in need. Who knows, maybe some day, I could see one of the players who received the support of this Foundation as a top golfer.” – Seve Ballesteros.
