With six major championships, 97 weeks as world No. 1, and 11 Ryder Cup appearances, Nick Faldo is one of the greatest European golfers in history and a model of discipline.
Who is Nick Faldo?
Sir Nick Faldo is an English professional golfer, born on July 18, 1957, in Welwyn Garden City. He discovered golf while watching Jack Nicklaus at the 1971 Masters and turned pro in 1976. He quickly began winning on the European Tour and claimed the European Order of Merit in 1983.
In 1985, he made a rare decision: to completely rebuild his swing with his coach David Leadbetter. The process took about two years. His hard work paid off in 1987: he won the Open at Muirfield. This was followed by the 1990 Open at St. Andrews, the 1992 Open at Muirfield, and three Masters titles, in 1989, 1990, and 1996. In 1996, he overcame a six-stroke deficit to Greg Norman to win by five strokes.
He spent 97 weeks as the world No. 1, according to the DP World Tour. He was knighted in 2009. After his playing career, he worked as a consultant for American television for 16 years, became a golf course architect, and founded the Faldo Series, a tour for young golfers.
Nick Faldo's List of Achievements
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | 6 |
| Open Championship | 3 victories: 1987 (Muirfield), 1990 (St. Andrews), 1992 (Muirfield) |
| Masters | 3 victories: 1989 (playoff against Scott Hoch), 1990 (playoff against Ray Floyd), 1996 |
| Victories on the European circuit | 30 |
| PGA Tour Victories | 9 |
| World Rankings | 97 weeks as world No. 1 (DP World Tour) |
| Order of European Merit | Winner in 1983 |
| Ryder Cup (player) | 11 national team appearances from 1977 to 1997, 25 points in 46 games—a record that stood for a long time |
| Ryder Cup (captain) | Captain of Europe in 2008 at Valhalla |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1997 |
| Award | Knighted in 2009 for his service to golf |
Nick Faldo's Game
Nick Faldo is the epitome of a methodical player. He wasn’t the longest hitter, but he knew how to repeat his swing, control his ball, and manage the course shot by shot. His victory at the 1987 Open remains legendary: 18 pars on the final day to defeat Paul Azinger.
A swing rebuilt to hold up under pressure
Together with David Leadbetter, Nick Faldo began an in-depth overhaul on June 1, 1985, that lasted about two years. His results initially declined, but he went on to win six majors in nine years. This story shows that real change takes time and patience.
The Finish: A Key Indicator of Your Swing
In his lesson on the finish, filmed for Golfing World, Nick Faldo explains that the end of the swing is often overlooked. In his view, working on a full, balanced finish can transform your game, because it reflects everything that came before.
Passing on to young people
His Faldo Series has helped advance the careers of players such as Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Danny Willett, Yani Tseng, and Mel Reid.
Nick Faldo's Lessons on Best Golf Tips
A summary of his lesson on the finish is currently being prepared. In the meantime, check out the best tips from the pros on the swing and the swing plane, rhythm and tempo and the learning path strategy.
To learn more, check out the fact sheet on Rory McIlroy, who played in the Faldo Series, and that of the coach Danny Maude, who filmed videos with him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nick Faldo
How many major tournaments has Nick Faldo won?
Six: the Open in 1987, 1990, and 1992, and the Masters in 1989, 1990, and 1996.
Was Nick Faldo a Ryder Cup captain?
Yes, in 2008 at Valhalla. As a player, he competed in 11 consecutive Ryder Cups, from 1977 to 1997, and scored 25 points.
Why did Nick Faldo change his swing?
He wanted a swing that could hold up under the pressure of major tournaments. With David Leadbetter, he rebuilt his swing starting in June 1985, over the course of about two years.
Why is he called Sir Nick Faldo?
He was knighted in 2009 by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to golf.
