Seve Ballesteros has second operation on his brain

Seve Ballesteros underwent further surgery today after his condition deteriorated following an operation to remove a brain tumour.

The Spanish golf legend was recovering from surgery on Tuesday to remove the tumour when doctors took the decision to operate again. The procedure was needed to reduce pressure on Ballesteros's brain.

A statement today from the LA Paz hospital in Madrid read: "The patient is stable and remains under observation in the intensive care unit."

Ballesteros was taken to the hospital on 6 October after he collapsed and briefly lost consciousness at Madrid airport.

The 51-year-old announced in a statement on Sunday he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Ballesteros won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the US Masters in 1980, a title he claimed again three years later.

He also captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Valderrama in 1997.

Robert Karlsson took another stride towards the European Order of Merit title with an opening three-under-par 69 in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura today.

The 39-year-old Swede, £112,000 clear of second-placed Padraig Harrington, was three behind England's Mark Foster.

But Lee Westwood, his closest money list challenger in the event, managed only a 72.