Seve Ballesteros developed a complication following brain tumor surgery in Madrid, Spain, requiring doctors to remove a piece of the golf star's skull to relieve pressure.

The Spaniard was stable but still in intensive care, La Paz Hospital said yesterday.

A sizable part of the tumor was taken out Tuesday, although it was not yet known if it was malignant. The hospital said Ballesteros, 51, had presented a "decreased level of consciousness by brain swelling."

Part of the skull was removed -- a procedure known as decompressive craniotomy -- to allow room for a swelling brain to expand. Doctors say it is not uncommon after such operations.

Ballesteros, who won three British Opens and two Masters, briefly lost consciousness Oct. 6 and was admitted to the hospital, where the tumor was discovered. Ballesteros, who won a record 50 tournaments on the European Tour, retired last year because of a long history of back pain and has since concentrated on golf-course design.

Other tournaments

• Kapalua LPGA Classic: Norway's Suzann Pettersen birdied the final two holes for a 4-under 68 to take the early first-round lead yesterday in the inaugural event in Kapalua, Hawaii. Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, seeking her eighth victory this season, was even through seven holes. She was in an afternoon group with No. 2 Annika Sorenstam, who was 3 over after a double bogey on No. 4. Brittany Lang birdied her final hole to open with a 69, and Australian Anna Rawson, Kristy McPherson and South Korea's Ji Young Oh were tied at 70.

• Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open: Zach Johnson, coming off an unexpected victory last week in the Texas Open, shot a 10-under 62 yesterday for a share of the first-round lead with Marc Turnesa in Las Vegas. The 62s were a stroke off the course record set by Davis Love III in 2001.

• Portugal Masters: Wales' Stuart Manley shot a 7-under 65 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of this European Tour event in Vilamoura. Manley, who is 174th in the European Tour's Order of Merit, birdied his last two holes at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course. Jyoti Randhawa, Alvaro Quiros and Mark Foster were one stroke behind.

Notes:

• Eight-time major champion Tom Watson is recovering from hip replacement surgery, saying yesterday he wanted to improve the qualify of his life and still be competitive on the golf course. The surgery to replace his anterior approach hip occurred Oct. 2 at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Watson, 59, is rehabilitating at home in Kansas City, Mo.