To say the fiery Spaniard, who celebrates his 42nd birthday Friday, is struggling would be an understatement. He has not made a cut on the European Tour in three tries this year and hasn't made a cut on the PGA Tour since 1996.

The two-time Masters champion hasn't made a cut at the Masters since 1996 and hasn't finished in the top 10 since 1990 when he finished tied for seventh, eight shots behind champion Nick Faldo.

``I don't want to talk about anything negative,'' Ballesteros said. ``I've been talking about how I've been struggling for the past two years.''

Ballesteros, who captained the European team to a Ryder Cup win in Spain in 1997, spent more than 90 minutes on the driving range Wednesday morning looking for the swing that helped him capture the Masters title in 1980 and '83.

``I'm feeling better,'' Ballesteros said. ``I'm playing great, and things are getting better.''

To help regain his lost confidence, Ballesteros has enlisted the help of highly sought-after sports psychologist Bob Rotella, author of three golf books. Rotella is one of pro golf's leading gurus and his clients include Tom Kite, Nick Price and Davis Love III.

One person looking for Ballesteros to return to form is his 19-year-old Spanish protege Sergio Garcia.

``For me, he has been like almost a second dad,'' Garcia said. ``He has taken care of me at the British Open twice and in Augusta.''

Garcia said he believes Ballesteros, a three-time British Open champion who has won more than 60 titles worldwide, is ready to make a comeback.

``He will win again,'' Garcia said. ``I don't know what to say about his game. He just told me he has to get working and get his confidence back. But I hope he will be on top again. I'm a very good friend of his, and I've always wanted him to be on top.''

Fellow Spaniard and 1994 Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal played a practice round with Ballesteros on Monday and may have the answer to Ballesteros' problems.

``His short game is still good,'' Olazabal said. ``He's just not hitting it straight off the tee, that's all.''

That said, part of Ballesteros' gallery endearment during his long career has been his ability to creatively recover from errant golf shots and post a winning score.