Kirsty Taylor is returning to competition after tumour scare (AFP)
England's Kirsty Taylor, winner of the 2005 Wales Open, returns to competition on Thursday after recovering from a life-saving operation to remove a brain tumour.
Just 16 months ago, the 37-year-old suffered a fit, similar to that of Severiano Ballesteros. Like the Spaniard, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to have two operations.
But on Thursday, she tees off in the Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone, the opening event of the 2009 season in Europe.
"I'm obviously nervous but also excited to be back. We'll see what happens. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself," said Taylor.
"I can see myself winning again. It was disappointing obviously not to be able to come out in 2008 after four seconds and a third in 2007. I'd love to go out there and win another trophy."
Taylor hasn't played on tour since the English Open in July, when she shot rounds of 73 and 81, missing the cut by three strokes.
She admits it was too early in her rehabilitation for a comeback.
"The most difficult time was coming off the medication around the time of the English Open, at that time I felt horrible. To begin with I was struggling to hit the ball because my head hurt and I thought it could get worse," she told http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com
"I always felt I was going to get back. Between my first and second operations I would do a bit of putting as I missed the fresh air. I missed the buzz that you feel, competing."
© 2009 AFP/sid
