Preview: Madrid Open

Kept out of action for 23 months by an arthritic back, the 48-year-old former world number one's appearance will be watched by the entire golfing world.

But he knows more attention will be paid to his game than his health.

The Spaniard was in decline long before his break and it would be amazing if he could challenge for a title again.

Ballesteros may have been uncomplimentary last month about the current generation of players - he said Tiger Woods was the last one to impress "a couple of years ago" - but the truth is that there has never been such strength in depth as there is now.

His last appearance was in November 2003 in the Seve Trophy, the event introduced in 2000 to mark his contribution to the European circuit.

Even with the help of Jose Maria Olazabal and then Sergio Garcia he lost all four of his games, the last a 5&4 thumping by Colin Montgomerie.

Ballesteros was a hugely popular winner at Royal Lytham in 1979

Prior to that event Ballesteros, a five-time major winner, played a mere eight tour events all year, making the cut in only one and finishing 279th on the Order of Merit.

That continued a steady drop for the six-time leading money-winner. He slipped outside the top 100 in 1997 and outside the top 200 in 2000, while in the majors he has not made a cut since the 1996 Masters.

Better to remember the good times.

Second in the 1976 Open at the age of 19, Ballesteros topped the Order of Merit that season, the following two seasons as well and then at Lytham became the youngest Open champion for 86 years.

Two Masters and two more Opens followed as he delighted the galleries with his dashing style.

Youngest of four brothers who were all professionals, Ballesteros always wore his heart on his sleeve and the passion he displayed in the Ryder Cup helped to transform that event.

That passion has spilled over at times, and he has had a number of run-ins with other players and officials over the years.

Apology

Last year, in fact, he narrowly avoided censure after an altercation with a tour referee at his home club.

The matter was investigated, but no ban followed, just a statement in which Ballesteros said he regretted what happened.

"My apologies to the European Tour and those affected by my wrong manners. I am a passionate character and the high tension of the moment was detrimental to the situation," he said.

Now, almost a year later, the next chapter begins. He said three weeks ago he thought it was "very possible" he could win, but it sounded like ridiculously positive thinking.

To survive the cut should be regarded as a triumph. Even a narrow miss.

But whatever happens at the Club de Campo this week, his will be the first score that most fans look for.