Ballesteros makes rare appearance at Doral

MIAMI (Ticker) -- It's not often a golfer with zero world ranking points is one of a tournament's main drawing cards, but that will be the case when the Ford Championship at Doral starts on Thursday.

Seve Ballesteros, who is tied for last in the world rankings, will likely draw a larger gallery than almost any other player in a field that doesn't include any of the world's six top-ranked players.

The swashbuckling Spaniard, who won five major championships - two Masters and three U.S. Opens - between 1979 and 1988, is making a concerted effort to prepare for next month's Masters by playing at least three of the next five tournaments, which is why he is here for the first time since 1995. And though the 46-year-old finds fairways with great irregularity these days, his ability to recover from the most unlikely of places still makes him a fan favorite.

"Golf is not as compelling to watch these days," he said, citing the improvement in equipment.

Ballesteros thinks the game has become too easy for the professionals, almost robotic, and would like to see two sets of rules - one for pros and another for amateurs.

"I think the clubs are designed to hit the ball only one way, straight," he said, seemingly overlooking his own inability to do so on a regular basis. "To be honest, golf is not very exciting to me when I watch the television now because it just looks like everybody hits the fairway and everybody hits the green and it's just become a putting competition.

"It's time golf, in my opinion, was invented to develop the skill and the intelligence and the feel of the human being. We are getting close to just tee up and just push a button and just talk to the club and say, 'Hey, I want a left-to-right' and it will react. I think that's not good."

Ballesteros, who says he up to 45 yards longer than 20 years ago, would like to see some leading players on the USGA's and R&A's rules committees. Those that play at the highest level, he believes, are best positioned to recommend changes.

Ballesteros says one reason for his erratic driving is that he can't practice as much as he would like, due to on-going back problems.

"My main problem is the lack of flexibility in my back," he said. "I have degeneration in my back, and because of that, I don't have the mobility and then my muscles are getting tight. That's why I now and then have problems."

Indeed, he had to pull out of a practice round after only five holes on Tuesday and visit the on-course physiotherapist for treatment. But as long as he is on two feet, he will continue to play.

"Golf is my life," he said. "I will die like a soldier with my boots on. If I play well, great, but if I don't, I produce a few shots under a lot of pressure and it makes me come back the next day."

There are sure to be a few of those amazing recoveries at Doral. If you want to watch someone hit fairways and greens, follow Bob Tway or Scott Hoch, but if you want to see some magic and some passion, watch Ballesteros, who quips he hasn't made a bogey all year, if only because he hasn't played a tournament.

And he's likely to shoot a high number, based on his record of making only two cuts in 17 events on the European Tour over the past two years. He's won more majors than anyone else in the field.

Nick Price is next with three, followed by Bernhard Langer and Lee Janzen with two each. Hoch is defending champion, while Retief Goosen, Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry are the only world top 10 players in action.

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