Seve Ballesteros looked frail but was in exuberant form today at his first press conference since undergoing four operations to remove a brain tumour.

The 52-year-old, with several prominent scars on his head, spoke about the "miracle" of his survival from cancer and cracked jokes as he launched his foundation to fight the disease.

Ballesteros thanked the doctors and staff of Madrid's La Paz hospital who saved him and expressed his gratitude for all the support he received since he was diagnosed with cancer in October.

"A few months ago my life was hanging by a thread but I managed to get through it," said the Spaniard.

"This is like a dream. It was very tough at the beginning. And when the doctors explained all they had done in my brain it's a miracle. You have to fight."

Ballesteros recalled how doctors had explained that the tumour in his brain was the size of two golf balls. "I am a better person because the doctors took out the bad bit," he joked.

The five-times major winner recently played golf with his son and added: "He won but it was a big effort. In time I will beat him."

The new foundation will also seek to help young golfers of limited means.