Madrid - Seve Ballesteros said he is fighting to win his "sixth major" in his first public interview since undergoing several operations to remove a malignant brain tumour.

"This is the most important shot of my life, I'm battling to win my sixth major," the 51-year-old golfer said in an interview published Tuesday in the Spanish Marca sports newspaper.

The five-time Major winner collapsed on October 6 at Madrid airport and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumour. He was first operated on eight days later and has undergone surgery a total of four times.

He left hospital in early December, after two months of inpatient treatment and began his fourth round of chemotherapy last weekend.

"The operation was perfect. The worst was the post-operations, which were difficult, very difficult," he said.

"I'm not called Seve Ballesteros, I'm called Seve Mulligan because I was lucky enough to be given a mulligan, which in golf is a second chance," he continued.

"I've had a lot of luck, which is the truth."

Ballesteros revealed that he received around 300,000 get-well cards and wishes from fans from around the globe, a response he found very humbling.

"I knew they admired me, what I didn't know is that the people loved me so much," Ballesteros said before breaking into tears, the newspaper reported.

The former Ryder Cup captain retired from golf in 2007 with a record of 87 titles, including three British Open and two US Masters crowns.

"Life has given me a second chance," he said. (dpa)