Seve Ballesteros remains determined to play at next year's Open despite struggling with his vision following surgery and chemotherapy on a brain tumour.

The Spaniard retired from competitive golf in 2007 but wants to make a final major appearance to bid farewell to his fans having undergone several bouts of treatment since last October.

The 52-year-old three-time Open champion explained: "I have several goals. One is to be ready for the Open next year...and I'm practising every day, preparing for it.

"Golf has always been my love and St Andrews is the home of golf. I want to be there in 2010.

"I think I can really compete. Not at the level of Tom Watson at Turnberry but I can compete and I want to go there to thank all the British people for all the welcomes I've received from them over the years and say goodbye in the proper way."

Ballesteros, an Open winner in 1979, 1984 and 1988, believes he can overcome his recent health difficulties.

"The biggest problem I am having is difficulty with the perception of distance but if I have a good caddy perhaps I'll go there and be competitive. It will help my health, especially mentally", he said.

"I'm sure I'll do very well. Having people supporting me (in previous years) was like another club in the bag."

He continued: "There are several other things which help me to stay more alive and to look to the future.

"One is to make sure my children study and can become good people, then there's golf course design and my foundation - which I started recently to help those youngsters who have the talent and ability but not the opportunity to play."

The three-time Open champion added on Sky Sports News: "I'm a very lucky person, Just to be here is something very special because...I could be somewhere else.

"I would say I'm on the 10th hole of my recovery - hopefully soon the doctor will say everything is gone."