Seve Ballasteros begins chemotherapy

Former European golf great Seve Ballasteros said Wednesday he feels optimistic after his first round of chemotherapy following brain surgery.

The native of Pedrena, Spain, a five-time winner at major tournaments, has undergone four operations to remove a cancerous tumor, which doctors discovered late last year.

The surgeries followed a fainting spell and a fall last Oct. 24 at an airport in Madrid.

Fortunately, the results were quite good, he said on his Web site. Besides, the physiotherapists are doing a great job on me as I feel better day after day.

The BBC reported that the 51-year-old Ballasteros undergoes a second course chemotherapy session on Friday.

I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination.

Ballasteros recorded 50 career victories on the European Tour, won the British Open three times and the Masters twice.