Ballesteros resists the easy course of action

Trial of a golfing great: Five times winner battles against form that excludes him from World Match Play Championship

THERE WAS a time, not that long ago, when Severiano Ballesteros was always the first name to be selected to play in the World Matchplay Championship. Five times a winner of one of the world's most renowned golf tournaments outside the four majors, the Spaniard could always guarantee bumper crowds and bumper interest at the Wentworth Golf Club.

Those days, alas, are long gone. Sport rarely relies on past achievements, which is why the out-of-touch and out-of-form 41-year-old stood no chance of receiving an invitation to play this year at the Surrey course.

And yet, despite all that has happened to the player once the best in the world, Ballesteros has a certain presence about him when in the company of fellow sportsmen. At a recent players' party on the European Tour, for example, other golfers experiencing better current form are still willing to queue up to talk to the man who many idolised in their younger, growing days. His friendliness in return hides the immense difficulties that his career now faces.

The name "Seve" alone still remains one of the most recognisable terms in world sport, let alone golf, but the magic of the man in his twenties and thirties has been transformed into a continuous struggle on the world circuit. Last year he ended up a staggering 134th on the European Tour money list. This year he has fared little better.

The success of becoming the first European to both play and captain Ryder Cup-winning sides, when his exuberant (some felt over-exuberant) leadership helped Europe seal a victory on Spanish soil in Valderrama in 1997, damaged his game further. It is something Ballesteros is quick to accept.

"It was a tremendous honour and privilege to be captain, and a great achievement to add to my list, to lead the players to a win in my own country, but the Ryder Cup last year hurt me very badly," he admits. "I took my role as captain very seriously, as you probably saw for yourself. I was desperate to win, especially as I had worked so hard to persuade the Ryder Cup committee to stage the tournament in Spain.

"In terms of my own game, however, the Ryder Cup captaincy was the last thing I needed. I had been suffering from a back injury for so long, and just when I felt it was beginning to improve I became fully immersed in my role as captain. I am not disappointed, of course, because winning the Ryder Cup was very special, but I what I really want to do is to get back to winning tournaments again."

Winning tournaments, of course, used to be Ballesteros' speciality. Five majors, two world and four Ryder Cups, and a total of 86 tournaments in all have found their way on to the Spaniard's role of honour. But not, it seems, any more.

"I know what success tastes like, and now all about failure too," he says. "I know which of those I prefer. When you're so used to feeling good about your golf and on top of the world, it's not easy to take when you're struggling to make the cut each tournament. I used to always finish in the top five places.

"It's hard to do, but I'm trying to keep my sense of humour. Even so, it's not surprising that negative thoughts enter my head from time to time. After all, when things aren't going well, it's difficult to remain positive. If I'm honest, I don't think I possess the same hunger I once did as a 25-year-old. But I still want to do well."

Despite his golfing misfortune, Seve sees it as simply that. In the greater sphere of life, he remains more than content with his lot. "I'm not losing too much sleep over my present state of form," he insists. "I keep saying to my wife, Carmen, how lucky we are. We're happy, we have a beautiful home, two beautiful children, everything we've ever wanted. The only thing that's wrong in my life right now is my golf, but you must always remember that golf will always only ever be a game.

"Many people have to face up to real disasters in their lives, so I don't think I should be too unhappy. In fact, every day I wake up and say thank you. When I started to play golf I did it for the fun. Then I discovered I was good, and it was only then that I started to dream about winning majors and becoming number one.

"So, when I look back over my career, I would never have dreamt, 20 years ago, that I would go on to achieve so much. I'm extremely satisfied with the success I've enjoyed. It wasn't really expected."

He sounds incredibly philosophical about his plight, but his acceptance of the situation is in danger of presenting the wrong impression. A determined Ballesteros spent the winter training and, due to hundreds of backstroke lengths in the local swimming pool near to his home in Padrena on the northern Spanish coast, his back has almost recovered.

He would like it to be known that as far as he is concerned, his career is far from over. "It's improving although it's moving too slowly for my liking," he argues. "I realise I'm going to have to be a little patient, and to keep working hard on my game. The only other option is to quit and that's not my style."

More than a few have suggested maybe Seve should hang up his boots and savour his glorious past. The man himself simply uses such a view as ammunition. "I know that there are people who believe I'll never bounce back, and I'm determined to prove them wrong. It just makes me angry and motivated.

"There are many more who want to see me returning to my winning ways and these people equally motivate me. I want to thank them for all their support, and the best way of doing this is to win again. I'd like to think that a lot of players and supporters believe that if Steve starts to play well again it can only be good for the game."

Meanwhile he intends to keep his head up, even if he continues to play past the second day of most tournaments. "I admit I am very frustrated, but I'm not embarrassed. Why should I be after what I've achieved? There's not much else for me to win, is there?

"Any tournament win will do for me right now, though I can't really afford to look much further ahead than that. My goal is simple. If I can begin to feel more comfortable with my game, the rest will follow. Don't forget, I know what it takes to get to the top.

"I believe I'm about 85 per cent back to my physical best, but only 50 per cent mentally. But it will get better. It has to."

I hope so, and so, surely, do most of the many thousands of golfers around the world. There cannot be many who would begrudge witnessing the most exciting player in world golf throughout the Eighties re-emerging from his personal nightmare. Somehow, days three and four of any tournament do not seem right without the presence of Severiano Ballesteros.