For the second time in his career, Jose Maria Olazabal returns to golf after fearing his playing days might be over.
Having spent 18 months out of the game in the mid-1990s, the double Masters champion has been out of action for seven months this time with more rheumatism problems.
"When you have pain and a total lack of mobility you hit bottom, for sure," said Olazabal on the eve of the Andalucian Open at Aloha in southern Spain.
Asked if he had thought he might be forced into retirement, he added: "September, October, November, December. Do you want me to go on?
"It's been very painful, and I still don't feel great. But I'm better than I have been for the last few months, and that is a positive sign.
"If everything follows on track then that's all I am hoping for. I'm not concerned about results at the moment.
"I'm taking an injection every two months - and now I am here to see how I can cope with competition.
"My goal is just to see how my body will cope. The lower back is maybe the worst part - it gets tight as the round goes on.
"But I had therapy yesterday and will keep getting it pretty much every day. It's not reached the point where it's a problem when swinging the club - if that's the case I might not be able to keep on playing."