Nick Faldo: Player Profile (Part 1)
Nick Faldo, formally known as Sir Nicholas Alexander Faldo was born on 18th July 1957. This English Professional golfer has won six majors throughout his career. Faldo has played on the European Tour and occasionally
starred as a golf analyst on air. He was also ranked number one in the world for 98 Weeks. Even though he is a British national, he currently resides in the United States Orlando, Florida.
Nick was born in Welwyn Garden City in England and got inspired by Jack Nicklaus when he was young. It is truly amazing to see how a fourteen year old watching the 1971 Masters on his parents’ new colour television and went on
to be such a golfing legend. Borrowing some clubs from his neighbours, Faldo begin playing golf. Within just three years after being amazed by Jack Nickalus, Faldo became a successful British amateur. Working as a carpet fitter, he also won the English Amateur
and British Youth Championship in 1975.
“I was just absolutely mesmerised when I saw the Masters that year, particularly by Jack Nicklaus striding across Augusta’s impossibly green fairways. I marched downstairs and announced to my Mum that I was going to take up golf.
‘You’re having a haircut first’ she said, which seemed like a fair enough deal at the time – even if Augusta was waiting!” said Faldo.
Faldo turned professional in 1976 and took the golfing world by storm. In his first year, he came 8th on the European Tour Order of Merit. By the age of twenty, Faldo became the youngest player ever to qualify for the
Ryder Cup. During his first year as a professional, he won the Skolt Lager Individual tournament. In 1978, Nick won the Colgate PGA Championship seven strokes ahead of Scottish player Ken Brown. That year, Faldo moved up five places and finished third on the
Order of Merit. During the 1980’s, Nick was clearly the best player on the European team. He topped the Order of Merit in 1983.
Even though he was played decent, Faldo still saw the need to improve on his game. Early 1980’s he did win some events but made a few mistakes during the majors. The British Media also called him Nick Faldo after his performance
during the 1983 Open Championship and the 1984 Masters. Faldo won the Sun Alliance PGA Championship in 1980 and 81. In 1982, he defeated Manuel Calero by just three strokes to win the Haig Whisky TPC. 1983 was a fruitful year for the Englishman as he had five
wins that season. Faldo won the Paco Rabanne Open De France, Martini International, Car Care Plan International, Lawrence Batley International and Ebel Swiss Open- European Masters. He won the Car Care Plan International again the next year as well. In 1987,
Nick defeated Hugh Baiocchi and Seve Ballesteros by two strokes to win the Peugot Spanish Open.
Another special year for Faldo was 1987 in which he won the Open Championship and hence attained his first Major Championship title. He defeated the American player Paul Azinger by just one stroke. Faldo scored par on all holes
in his final around, it was just the bogeys Azinger made in the last two holes that cost him the championship title.
The end of 1980’s and start 1990’s, Faldo was considered the best golfer in the world. This was an honour truly deserved by the player since he claimed six major championship titles in 9 years. Nick Price was second since he won
three major tournaments during the same time period. He was known for playing well under pressure and stressful conditions.
Faldo won the Open Championship again in 1990 at St. Andrews in Scotland. Faldo secured victory by leading Mark McNulty and Payne Stewart by five strokes. Two year later, Faldo won the Open Championship for the third time by beating
the American Player John Cook. His other two Major titles came by his victory in the Masters in 1989 and 1990.
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