Ballesteros has been teaching at golf clinics

The 48-year-old Spaniard, who pulled out of last week's Masters because of a knee injury, has also withdrawn from this week's Spanish Open.

"I need to be true to myself and recognise that I'm not in the best condition to play," he said.

Ballesteros has an arthritic back condition and has not played competitively since November 2003 but hopes to make the Open in July.

The Spanish Open is at San Roque, where Ballesteros is honorary president.

He said: "It's a pity I'm not able to play because I've done everything possible to be in shape physically.

"But what can I do? I'm just waiting and obviously won't start playing again until I feel I can do so in a dignified manner."

The former world number one has made only two halfway cuts in his last 23 European Tour events and last played all four rounds of a major in 1996.