Early Career
The eldest of three children, Nick Faldo was born on 22 May 1956 in the town of King’s Lynn, England. He started playing golf at the age of 10 and, by 15, he had developed his skills to the point where he was able to turn professional. Faldo won his first tournament in 1977 and, two years later, he won the Argentine Open. Faldo’s most successful period as a professional golfer came in the mid-1980s when he was one of the most consistent and feared players on the PGA Tour. In 1982, Faldo recorded his first victory in the United States, winning the Dutch Open. He followed that up with wins at the Dunlop Open and the Laffitte-Heath Open in 1983, and the Canadian Open in 1984. He also reached the finals of the U.S. Open in 1982 and 1984 and the British Open in 1983.
Major Championships
Faldo’s most successful run of form came in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, during which time he won three Open Championships and three Masters Tournaments. In 1987, Faldo won the Open at Muirfield and became the first golfer to win the title while wearing a cap instead of a traditional golfing hat. He won his second Open Championship in 1990, this time at Royal Troon. At the time of his win, Faldo was the defending champion having won the title the previous year at Royal Lytham & St Annes. In 1996, Faldo won his third and final Masters title. Faldo also reached the final round of the Open on three occasions without winning, finishing as runner-up in 1983, 1986, and 1994. He also reached the final of the PGA Championship on two occasions without winning.
Awards and Honors
Faldo won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1987, as well as the Golf Writers’ Award. He was also named the PGA Player of the Year three times and the European Tour Golfer of the Year six times. Faldo was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1997, and the following year he was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 2009, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Faldo a knighthood for his services to golf. Faldo has also made several appearances on the leaderboards of the Ryder Cup, serving as the European team’s captain in 1993 and 1999. In 1987, he helped lead the European team to victory in the Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup Success
Faldo played in the Ryder Cup on eight occasions, representing Europe nine times. He was a vice-captain in 1991, and captained the team in 1993, 1999, and 2002, leading Europe to victory in each of those years. Faldo’s 13 victories in the Ryder Cup are more than any other player in history. Faldo’s win in 1987 was a particularly memorable one, as he helped Europe tie the Ryder Cup at 17-17, the first time the competition had ever ended in a tie. In the deciding “shoot-out” between Phil Mickelson, Faldo’s partner, and Curtis Strange, who had captained the American team, Faldo made a crucial putt to secure the tie for Europe. The win was the first time that Europe had claimed victory over the United States since 1985 and ended a run of five consecutive American wins.
Post-Golf Career
Since retiring from the professional golf tour in 2004, Faldo has remained active in the golf world and is currently a member of the Golf Channel’s broadcast team. Faldo has also ventured into the business world, serving as the chairman of Faldo Capital, a company that focuses on sports, leisure, and tourism. Faldo has also become involved in charitable causes and is currently an ambassador for the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Pink Ribbon campaign. Faldo has also worked with charities such as Save the Children and the Nick Faldo Foundation.
Impact on the Game of Golf
Throughout his career, Faldo has consistently been ranked as one of the best golfers in the world. He has won five PGA Tour Player of the Year Awards, three European Tour Golfer of the Year awards, and three Ryder Cups. With such a decorated golfing career, it is easy to see why Faldo is considered to be one of the most successful golfers of all time. He has also had a lasting impact on the game of golf, both through his career and through his involvement in the business world since retirement. Faldo’s popularity with fans has also allowed him to help grow the game of golf. For example, Faldo has been a long-time advocate for junior golfing and has helped to promote the sport to younger generations through his involvement with the Nick Faldo Foundation and other organizations.
