Golf: Ballesteros searches for glittering prize: Els looks to have the edge as in-form Spaniard aims to show his old magic at World Match Play Championship

WHEN Seve Ballesteros won the German Masters two weeks ago, he returned to Spain pounds 104,000 richer but with no glittering prize to show off to his son. Had the four- year-old Baldomero, who had watched his father on television, been shown only a cheque he might have torn it up.

The championship in Germany has no cup or trophy, so when Ballesteros returned home he picked out a suitably large piece of silverware - one of dozens he had collected in a 20-year professional career - and hoodwinked his son into believing it was the latest addition to the collection.

If Ballesteros should win the Toyota World Match Play Championship, which begins here this morning, he will not have to resort to subterfuge. He will receive a silver cup - in addition to pounds 160,000 - which is almost large enough to accommodate his son. As it would be his sixth victory, he might even get to keep it.

Had you seen Ballesteros 12 months ago, the odds on him returning to the Burma Road as the leader in Europe's pecking order for the Ryder Cup and second to Colin Montgomerie in the Order of Merit would have been in three figures. Beaten 7 and 6 by David Frost in the first round he was on his knees, physically and mentally.

The consensus was that he was finished. He spent several months in Phoenix, Arizona, working on a programme of exercises to relieve a painful back problem.

His recovery has been such that today, when Ballesteros has a rematch with Frost in the first round, the bookmakers William Hill have the Spaniard at 8-13 to progress to the second round and the South African at 6-5. To win the championship itself, Ballesteros is 8-1 and Frost 20-1.

If Ballesteros's victory in the Benson and Hedges International at St Mellion in May was a reminder that he was back, then his performance in Germany was a reminder to the younger generation that they were not founder members of the old magic circle. He defeated Jose-Maria Olazabal and Ernie Els in a play-off with a birdie at the first extra hole.

Ballesteros is making his 19th successive appearance in the World Match Play, following the withdrawal of John Daly. It would suit the Mills and Boon script if Ballesteros should win, but he is at a disadvantage, as are the other seven who have to play in the first round.

If Ballesteros gets past Frost, he will meet a fresh Els in the quarter-finals. Due to the absence of Nick Price and Greg Norman, the world No 1 and No 2, it is not a vintage field and Els, at 6-1 for the championship, appears to represent the best bet. The course, the format and the draw will suit the US Open champion.

Nick Faldo, who won in 1989 and 1992, and was the runner-up to Corey Pavin last year, is the 7-2 favourite on his home course, and in what will be his last appearance in Britain for some time. Faldo, who is joining the US Tour next year, said he liked the 36-hole format - especially when you receive a bye in the first round. Given the autumn weather, he predicted low- scoring matches, with his name among them.

'I've been at the right end of the leaderboard, but I haven't finished it off,' Faldo said. 'The bottom line is that the season has been disappointing. It's never quite clicked.' He will continue to putt 'cack-handed' and added: 'I'm much happier with it. It's taken away all the technical thoughts about my putting stroke.'

When Faldo criticised the European Tour at Woburn, he singled out three courses: Mount Juliet in Ireland, French National near Paris, and Valderrama in Spain. Seven clubs in Britain, including Wentworth and Woburn, yesterday announced the formation of a 'premier league' to provide 'standards of excellence to match those of anywhere in the world'.

TODAY'S TEE-OFF TIMES: 8.30am and 1.00pm V Singh (Fiji) v J Parnevik (Swe). Winner to play C Pavin (US). 8.45 and 1.15 C Montgomerie (GB) v Y Mizumaki (Japan). Winner to play N Faldo (GB). 9.00 and 1.30 D Frost (SA) v S Ballesteros (Sp). Winner to play E Els (SA). 9.15 and 1.45 I Woosnam (GB) v B Faxon (US). Winner to play J M Olazabal (Sp).

----------------------------------------------------------------- CARD OF THE COURSE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1st 471 4 10th 186 3 2nd 155 3 11th 376 4 3rd 452 4 12th 483 5 4th 501 5 13th 441 4 5th 191 3 14th 179 3 6th 356 4 15th 466 4 7th 399 4 16th 380 4 8th 398 4 17th 571 5 9th 450 4 18th 502 5 Out: 3,373 35 In: 3,584 37 Total: 6,957 72 -----------------------------------------------------------------