SEVE HANGS UP HIS COMPETITIVE CLUBS AND
SAYS NO TRUTH IN SUICDE ATTEMPT RUMOURS
Seve Ballesteros was due to give a press conference at the Open championship in the Carnoustie Press Centre this afternoon when he will speak about recent reports of a suicide attempt - reports he strenuously denies.
In advance of the conference Ballesteros, not competing at Carnoustie, gave his first radio interview since last week's headlines and told BBC Radio Five Live:
"I am perfect - doing great. I know that a lot of rumours have been out all over the world, all as a consequence of one of the TV channels in Spain. They said things that were not even close to reality and that's why I have to make a statement later in the day to deny the things.
"I feel great - as good as ever and I want to say that I really appreciate all the people for the phone calls and letters and everything. They were really worried about my health.
"There was confusion. I have no idea how it arose. I was at hospital for several hours. I didn't feel good in my chest and thought my heart was not doing very good.
"I was there in observation and then I left because everything was OK. I don't know why those rumours happened. You can't control those things sometimes.
"The only important thing is that I am OK. I am very happy and everything is OK."
LATER NEWS:
At the Press Conference, Seve announced his retirement from competitive golf. He said: "You need to remember I have been playing from an early age. Now it is time to enjoy family life and my children."