Ballesteros released after brain surgery

MADRID, Spain -- Spanish golf great Seve Ballesteros was released from the hospital Tuesday, more than two months after undergoing brain surgery to remove a malignant tumor.

The 51-year-old Spaniard left the hospital Tuesday morning but will continue to be treated as an outpatient, Madrid's La Paz hospital said in a statement.

Ballesteros, one of Spain's best known sports personalities, was admitted on Oct. 6 after fainting at Madrid's international airport before boarding a flight to Germany. Since then, he has undergone four separate operations, including a 6ˆ½-hour procedure on Oct. 24 to remove the brain tumor and reduce swelling around the brain. That was his third operation in eight days.

Ballesteros was released from intensive care last Wednesday -- the first time he had been out of danger since his initial operation on Oct. 15.

A five-time major champion, Ballesteros is known for spectacular shots and fearless play, but still called his current ordeal the "hardest challenge of my life."

Ballesteros won three British Opens and two Masters titles. He also recorded 50 career victories on the European Tour and is widely recognized as having transformed European golf.

Perhaps his most memorable shot came from a parking lot next to the 16th fairway at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in the 1979 British Open. Leading by two shots in the final round, he drove into the car park, had a car removed to get his free drop, then fired his second shot into 15 feet and made birdie on his way to his first major.

After lobbying to have the Ryder Cup expanded to include continental Europe in 1979, Ballesteros helped beat the United States in 1985 to begin two decades of dominance. He also captained Europe to victory in 1997 at Valderrama, Spain.

Ballesteros retired in 2007 because of a long history of back pain and has since concentrated on golf course design.