NEWS:Seve Ballesteros is to remain in intensive care as he continues his recovery from brain surgery in Madrid's La Paz hospital.
Ballesteros underwent a lengthy procedure a week ago to alleviate pressure on the brain caused by an edema and to remove remaining tumour tissues.
A brief statement released by the hospital read: "The patient is stable and his neurological condition continues to progress favourably although he needs to remain in intensive care." Ballesteros, the 51-year-old five-time major winner, was diagnosed with a tumour earlier this month and before his
latest surgery he had already undergone two operations the second to reduce swelling on the brain.
US TOUR:Joint first round leader Ryan Palmer kept the pressure on after shooting a 71 to hold an early one-shot lead over Peter Lonard, Ken Duke and Robert Allenby in the Ginn Sur Mer Classic in Palm Coast, Florida, yesterday. Former world number one David Duval is very much in contention following a 69 that has him on four under par with Chris Stroud and Nicholas Thompson a shot behind.
ROYAL TROPHY:Asia has rejected a proposal to include Australians and New Zealanders in the region's team to face Europe in the Royal Trophy, believing they can win the contest without players from Down Under.
Europe crushed Asia 12 1/2½ to 3 1/2 in the most recent edition of the matchplay event in 2007, prompting organisers to consider following other sports by including Australasians in Asian events.
"We asked players and a lot of people in Asian golf about what they thought but there was a consensus that they want to keep this Asian," Lincoln Vernancio of organisering group said.
The annual event will be hosted in Thailand until 2011 before alternating between Europe and Asia. The 2009 contest takes place from January 9th-11th.
