Thursday July 23, 2009, 10:47 PM

Spanish golfing legend Severiano Ballesteros, recuperating from a brain tumour, said Thursday he was working on new techniques with the aim of returning to international competition.

Ballesteros said he was hoping to play in next year's British Open after being inspired by veteran American Tom Watson, 59, who failed at the final hurdle last weekend to become the oldest major winner in history.

"If things are going normally, which I hope, then I will be there," the 52-year-old told the BBC.

"I promise you all that I will be there, to say goodbye and thank you for all that you have done through all the years."

Although physically weaker since suffering the tumour, which has also damaged the sight in his left eye, Ballesteros said he was adapting his game, including by drawing a line on the ball, and then lining up his putter behind it.

But the five-time major winner said he was still having problems perceiving distances on long putts.

"Probably some people will feel sorry for me, or maybe cry when they see this programme," he said.

"But I feel I am very happy, I feel I am a very lucky person because when I look at my life I have so many great moments that I feel I have lived two or three which is more than others."

Ballesteros, regarded as one of golf's all-time greats, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour after losing consciousness at Madrid airport on October 6.

He underwent four operations to remove the tumour and reduce swelling in his skull as well as chemotherapy.

He won the British Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and became the first European to win the Masters in 1980, an achievement he repeated in 1983.

Ballesteros was also an influential figure in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches and captaining Europe to victory over the United States at Valderrama in 1997.

© 2009 AFP/sid