Ballesteros says he is nearly recovered

PEDRENA, Spain, May 6 (UPI) -- Golf great Seve Ballesteros says he is 90 percent recovered after four operations on a cancerous brain tumor.

The native of Pedrena, Spain, said on his Web site he is back to hitting golf balls after four rounds of chemotherapy.

"The results of my last tests at La Paz Hospital in Madrid showed I was on the right path," Ballesteros said Tuesday. "I will go on working to get better each day (and) the fact I was a sportsman and used to competing and fighting helped."

The BBC reported Ballesteros, 52, said he "suffered like a dog" during his illness and will need to undergo a fifth round of chemotherapy.

The five-time major tournament winner has been recuperating at his home. On Sunday he made his first public appearance since his first surgery in October.

"Now I am perfect, I can do any kind of sport, running, swimming, rowing and I am also hitting golf shots," Ballesteros said.