Seve Ballesteros has delayed his first tournament appearance of 2006 because of further back pain.

The 48-year-old played his first event for nearly two years at the Madrid Open in October, and although he missed the halfway cut Ballesteros said he hoped to be back at next week's Dubai Desert Classic.

"He changed his mind because he does not feel 100 per cent," his manager and nephew Ivan Ballesteros said today.

"Seve wants to practise some more and the other thing is his back. He's been doing exercises, but he has some pain and he believes that if he competes next week he might have to stop.

"He wants to be at the Masters in April and is hoping to play before then."

Twice a winner at Augusta, Ballesteros has not appeared in any major since missing the cut there with a second-round 85 three years ago.