MADRID, Spain (PA) -- Seve Ballesteros has admitted he was "a rebel patient" at times during a two-month hospitalization in which he underwent four operations to remove a brain tumor.

The five-time major winner had been in La Paz Hospital since collapsing in October and underwent the last of his operations last week. The 51-year-old was released from the hospital on Tuesday, and paid tribute to the medical staff who looked after him.

"During these two long months in hospital, I wish to thank the doctors as well as the people in charge of the Intensive Care Unit and the second floor at La Paz," said Ballesteros in a statement. "Doctors, nurses and porters will always mean so much to me. Even more than simply carers of a sick person. They are like members of my own family.

"Occasionally, I was a rebel patient and therefore I ask them to forgive me and thank everyone for all the care received," he continued.

"After the four surgeries I have undergone, I would like to emphasise the efficiency and humanity of the neurosurgeons. They are excellent professionals and unique as human beings. Thanks to them I will be able to play the mulligan of my life, which I expect to enjoy at my best."

Ballesteros was diagnosed with a brain tumor after losing consciousness at Madrid airport in October.

He underwent a lengthy operation on Oct. 24 to reduce pressure on his brain and remove remaining tumour tissues following two previous operations. On Nov. 18, he had recovered sufficiently to leave intensive care, but was readmitted two weeks later for further surgery to place a cephalorachidian fluid VP shunt.

And Ballesteros vowed to "keep on fighting with patience and determination" in his recovery.

"After a 66-day stay at La Paz Hospital, finally (the) doctors have allowed me some temporary holidays away from the hospital," he said. "There is a long recovery time ahead and I shall keep on fighting with patience and determination against the brain tumor that was detected at the beginning of October."

Ballesteros left the hospital with a message of support for the remaining patients.

"Just as my message of Oct. 12, I would like to send another one to the sick people whom I have left behind at this hospital and others who suffer the same illness as myself, and those even worse," he added. "When you fight with faith and persistency, you can overcome whichever drawback you come across.

"Our mind is stronger than we can imagine," he explained. "Just as I always did in my professional life, visualizing success helps achieve one's targets, however impossible they seem.

"Provided we believe in ourselves, we can achieve goals never before envisaged," he concluded. "I am a believer and will continue thinking positively to defeat the illness I suffer and encourage those who are going through something similar to do it with the same determination as myself."

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