Seve Ballesteros eyes up emotional return to St Andrews for Open curtain raiser

SEVE Ballesteros is on course to make an emotional return to St Andrews in July for a special four-hole event on the eve of the Open, according to the president of the Spanish Golf Federation.

"He wants to be on the first tee at St Andrews for the four-hole tournament and he will probably be there," Gonzaga Escauriaza said. "Seve is doing much better. He was doing very well last summer when he started playing again but then he went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy."

Five-times major winner Ballesteros was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour in 2008 which required four operations. The 52-year-old Spaniard is among 32 former champions who have been invited to play four holes at St Andrews on July 14, the day before the 150th anniversary Open.

"I've met his son and he said he wants to caddie for him," said Escauriaza. "It will be very emotional for a lot of people and for him too because of course he won at St Andrews in 1984. He has started to practise again and is able to play some holes."

Rising Welsh star Rhys Davies remains on course for a maiden career title today at the Maybank Malaysian Open after earning a share of a one-shot lead alongside Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Davies carded a one-under-par 71 to join Kiradech at 11 under. Scotland's Stephen Gallacher fell back to level par after a 75 and shares 44th place with Steven O'Hara, who carded a 71.

Scotland's teenagers won the Boys' Quadrangular title in France despite a final-day loss to Italy at the Chiberta club.

Stuart Wilson's side, who had beaten France and defending champions Sweden in their opening two ties, went down 5-4 to the Italians but pipped their opponents to the crown with a better overall points tally from three matches.