GOLF NEWS:SEVE BALLESTEROS was in a stable condition after an operation on Tuesday to remove a brain tumour, the Spanish golfer's doctors said yesterday.

"The operation, with the objective of a resection of the detected brain tumour, started at 9am and concluded without complications," a statement from Madrid's La Paz hospital said.

A resection refers to a procedure to remove as much of a brain tumour as possible before radiation or chemotherapy. A biopsy on the tumour was scheduled for yesterday but doctors decided to operate to remove as much of the tumour as possible before treatment.

The hospital statement said: "The patient will spend a post-operative period in the intensive care unit. He is currently conscious and in a stable condition, although he cannot receive visits in the coming days until he recovers from the surgery."

The removed tumour will be analysed and it will take several days before the results are known, and what course of treatment Ballesteros may need.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady delivered a positive update on Ballesteros' condition after speaking with the Spaniard's brother.

O'Grady told BBC Radio Five Live: "It was a long operation - some statements say 12 hours but we've been told by the family seven hours - and we believe it has been successful.

"It has got to be checked through later, but his brother has phoned to tell us it was very successful.

"He has regained consciousness and is in intensive care. If any man can come through this it will be him."

The 51-year-old was taken to the hospital last week after suffering dizziness and a brief loss of consciousness. On Sunday, the five-time major winner said he had a brain tumour.