Ballasteros starts cancer group

European golf great Seve Ballasteros has started a cancer federation in his native Spain that will bear his name, RTE Sport said.

The 52-year-old Ballasteros, a five-time major tournament winner, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last October after losing consciousness while at Madrid Airport, and four brain surgeries and chemotherapy treatment followed before his first official public appearance Thursday at a Madrid luncheon.

He said he feels as if he has been given a second chance at life.

The first thing that I told the doctors after I woke up from the anesthetic was that my new name was Seve Mulligan, he said. Nine months ago my life was hanging by a thread. I feel now like I have a mulligan (re-take) in life.

Among his career highlights are winning the 1983 Masters (Augusta, Ga.), a 6-under-par 65 in the fourth round of the 1988 British Open, and eight Ryder Cup appearances, including team captain in 1997.