Edinburgh (Scotland), Nov 13 : Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros has been made an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, where he won the Open in 1984.

Ballesteros, three times Open champion and twice a Masters victor, has said that he hopes to play again after undergoing four operations for a brain tumour that nearly killed him.

“I sincerely hope I''ll be able to come back next year and be part of the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship,” The Mirror quoted Ballesteros, as saying.

Part of a gifted golfing family, Ballesteros had won five major tournaments between the years of 1979 and 1988. He was also successful in the Ryder Cup, helping the European team to five wins both as a player and captain.

The 52-year-old struggled with form during the 1990s due to back-related injuries, but continues to be involved with the game, creating the Seve Trophy and running a golf course design business.

He eventually retired from competitive golf in 2007 due to poor form.

Ballesteros was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2008. In June 2009, he made his first public appearance after undergoing a number of chemotherapy treatments. He then said that it was a "miracle" to be alive. (ANI)