English · Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire · Born 18 July 1957English golfer who won six major championships and spent 97 weeks as world No.1.
Nicholas Alexander Faldo was born on 18 July 1957 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, the only child of Joyce and George Faldo, an accountant, and became "hooked" on golf at 14 after watching Jack Nicklaus play the 1971 Masters on the family's new colour television, despite never having picked up a club himself. Faldo turned professional in 1976, and completely rebuilt his swing in the mid-1980s under coach David Leadbetter, a painstaking process that sacrificed short-term results for long-term dominance and paid off spectacularly across the following decade. Faldo won six major championships, including three Masters titles and three Open Championships, and delivered the most famous of his triumphs at the 1996 Masters, overturning a six-shot deficit to Greg Norman in the final round to complete one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament's history. Faldo represented Europe in a record 11 consecutive Ryder Cups, amassing 25 points, and was knighted in 2009 after retiring from competitive golf. He has since built an extensive career as a golf broadcaster, widely regarded as the greatest English golfer of all time.
Six major championships and dominance in the 1980s-90s; later renowned golf broadcaster
How They Played
Methodical, precise, exceptional course management
Lasting Impact
One of Europe's greatest golfers and leading Ryder Cup figure
Career Honours
- 3x Open Champion 1987, 1990, 1992
- 3x Masters Champion 1989, 1990, 1996
- World No.1 for 97 weeks