An old boxing sage once told me that he measured the capability of a fighter on the face of a clock. At 12 o’clock, the boxer is at his peak. At five to, he’s almost there. At five past, he’s just heading over the hill.

SEVE BALLESTEROS is back in intensive care after having a FOURTH brain operation.

Five-time Major winner Ballesteros, 51, underwent scheduled surgery to help drain fluid from the brain.

The medical team at La Paz hospital in Madrid also performed a cranioplasty to repair a bone defect. Ballesteros (right) was diagnosed with a brain tumour after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport on October 5.

Team World got off to a rousing start by defeating Team Quezon City-Philippines, 7-4, in the opening team event to draw the first blood in the Q.C. Invasion: Quezon City-Philippines vs the World Grand VILLARDS Showdown, which cued off Tuesday before a mammoth crown at the Trinoma Mall.

Madrid‘s La Paz hospital said in a statement on Friday that Ballesteros’ condition “continues to improve”.

The 53-year-old Spanish golfing great was initially admitted to hospital having lost consciousness at Madrid ‘s international airport on 6 October.

A tidy front nine effort helped former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth of Sweden to tie with Australian Mitchell Brown for the clubhouse lead in the US$500,000 Iskandar Johor Open at the Royal Johor Country Club yesterday.

The golfing legend had a third operation to reduce brain swelling and remove more of the tumour last Friday.

“The patient has a favourable trend in his neurological status but needs to be further controlled in the Intensive Care Unit,” said a hospital statement.

WELSHMAN Craig Smith fired a blistering seven-under 65 to take the first round lead of the US$500,000  Iskandar Johor Open at the Royal Johor Golf and Country Club Thursday.