Seve Ballesteros may not play again until the Irish Open at the end of next month.
The 45-year-old Spanish star, who has fallen outside the world's top 1,000, is missing from the Volvo PGA championship which started at Wentworth today.
According to Jose Maria Olazabal, Ballesteros is taking an extended break from the game. "He is thinking about what he is going to do with his game - it's been hard on him," Olazabal said.
"To see him struggle the way he is is hard on me and I guess it's hard on him too. I keep my fingers crossed. If you could give him the ball in the middle of the fairway he would be winning tournaments again," Olazabal said.
Ballesteros's last victory was the 1995 Spanish Open - the 50th Order of Merit victory in a career that also includes three Opens and two Masters titles.
PA