 Seve has not competed in earnest since November 2003 |
Former Open and Masters champion Seve Ballesteros has insisted he will be fit to play in both of those major championships next season. The 47-year-old, three times an Open champion and twice a winner at Augusta, missed both events this year amid fears that back pain would end his career.
The Open returns to St Andrews, scene of Ballesteros' second title, in 2005.
"I want to do well at St Andrews," he said. "My goal is the Masters first, then St Andrews. It is 100% realistic."
Ballesteros has not played in the Open since Lytham in 2001, when a first-round 78 led to him missing the cut.
He has not survived the cut since 1995, when the event was also staged at the Old Course.
 |  St Andrews is one of my favourite places |
His last Masters was in 2003, when he crashed out at the halfway stage after rounds of 77 and 85.
"My goal is the Masters first in April, perhaps play some tournaments before then," he said of his plans for next year's campaign.
"Then I will come to Europe, focus on the Open and play some (warm-up) tournaments. St Andrews is one of my favourite places."
MMIX
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