Ballesteros out of ICU, will begin rehabilitation

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MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros was released from intensive care but remained in hospital on Tuesday to recuperate from brain surgery on a malignant tumor.

Ballesteros

Madrid's La Paz Hospital said in a statement it remained cautious over releasing a time frame for his exit after three surgeries in 18 days, saying only that the healing "process is slow" and that Ballesteros would remain in the hospital for some time. Restricted visits were being allowed for the first time.

The 51-year-old Spanish golf great underwent a 6-hour operation on Oct. 24 to remove the brain tumor and reduce swelling around the brain. He was admitted on Oct. 6 after fainting at Madrid's international airport.

Ballesteros, who won a record 50 tournaments on the European Tour, called the situation the "hardest challenge of my life."

Ballesteros, a winner of three British Opens and two Masters, is often praised for having transformed European golf and helped Europe beat the United States in the 1985 Ryder Cup to begin two decades of dominance. He also captained Europe to victory in 1997 at Valderrama, Spain.