Career Timeline of Nick Faldo: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Nick Faldo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sir Nick Faldo is a highly decorated English retired professional golfer and current television commentator. He achieved the number one spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for 97 weeks and is celebrated for his commitment to golf. Faldo's career boasts 41 professional wins, including 30 on the European Tour. He secured six major championships, winning The Open Championship three times and The Masters Tournament three times, solidifying his place as one of golf's all-time greats.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 1974: Walker Cup Team Selection

In November 1974, Nick Faldo's successes came too late to gain a Walker Cup place, as the team had already been selected in late May.

November 1975: Commonwealth Tournament

In November 1975, Nick Faldo represented Great Britain in the Commonwealth Tournament in South Africa.

1976: Turning Professional

In 1976, Faldo turned professional and joined the European Professional Golfers Association.

1977: Ryder Cup and European Tour Successes

In 1977, Faldo finished eighth on the Order of Merit and became the youngest Ryder Cup player at age 20. He won all three of his Ryder Cup matches, including a win over Jack Nicklaus and a victory over Tom Watson.

1978: Third on Order of Merit

In 1978, Faldo finished third on the European Tour Order of Merit.

1980: Sun Alliance PGA Championship Win

In 1980, Faldo won the Sun Alliance PGA Championship in England.

1981: Second Sun Alliance PGA Championship Win

In 1981, Faldo won his second consecutive Sun Alliance PGA Championship in England.

1983: Top of the Order of Merit

In 1983, Faldo finished top of the European Tour Order of Merit, securing five European Tour victories.

1984: Swing Rebuilding

Starting in the mid-1980s, which included 1984, Faldo began rebuilding his swing under the tutelage of David Leadbetter to improve his game.

May 1987: Peugeot Spanish Open Victory

In May 1987, Faldo won the Peugeot Spanish Open, marking his first European Tour victory since 1984 and a turning point in restoring his confidence.

July 1987: First Major Title at The Open Championship

In July 1987, Nick Faldo claimed his first major title at The Open Championship at Muirfield, finishing with a steady performance in the final round to secure a one-shot victory after Paul Azinger's late bogeys.

1987: 1987 Open Championship

During the 1987 Open Championship, Nick Faldo completed a final round of 18 consecutive pars, showcasing his steady play under pressure.

1987: Major Tournament Wins

From 1987 through 1996, Nick Faldo had more professional major tournament wins than any other player in the world, totaling six.

1987: Open Championship Victory

In 1987, Nick Faldo won the Open Championship, marking a significant milestone in his career.

1987: Open Championship Win After Azinger's Mistakes

Nick Faldo's Open Championship win in 1987 came after mistakes in the closing two holes by Paul Azinger.

1988: U.S. Open Playoff Loss

In 1988, Nick Faldo tied for the lead at the U.S. Open with Curtis Strange, but lost in an 18-hole Monday playoff by four strokes after struggling in the final round.

1988: U.S. Open Playoff against Curtis Strange

In the 1988 U.S. Open playoff, Curtis Strange was in a good frame of mind to handle Nick Faldo, resulting in him beating Faldo when he was in his prime.

1989: Masters Tournament Victory

In 1989, Nick Faldo won the Masters Tournament, further solidifying his reputation as a top golfer.

1989: Masters Title After Hoch's Mistake

In 1989, Nick Faldo's Masters title at Augusta occurred after Scott Hoch missed a short putt.

1990: U.S. Open Third Place Finish

At the 1990 U.S. Open, Nick Faldo finished tied for 3rd place, missing out on a playoff by one stroke after a three-putt and a missed birdie putt in his final round. He expressed frustration to a journalist afterward.

1990: Masters Victory and Back-to-Back Titles

In 1990, Faldo successfully defended his Masters title, winning in a playoff against Raymond Floyd. He became the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1965-66 to win back-to-back Masters titles.

1990: Open Championship and Masters Victories

In 1990, Nick Faldo achieved victories in both the Open Championship and the Masters Tournament.

1990: Masters Title After Floyd's Error

In 1990, Nick Faldo won his Masters title at Augusta after Raymond Floyd hit into a pond.

1991: Launch of Faldo Design

In 1991, Nick Faldo launched his golf course design practice, Faldo Design.

1992: Emotional Open Win

After winning the 1992 Open at Muirfield, Faldo displayed visible emotion, trembling and shedding tears after his Open-winning putt on the final hole.

1992: Second European Tour Order of Merit

In 1992, Faldo claimed the European Tour Order of Merit a second time, with record-breaking worldwide earnings of £1,558,978.

1992: Third Open Championship Win

In 1992, Faldo won his third Open Championship at Muirfield, overcoming a lost lead in the final round to win by a stroke over John Cook.

1992: Spectacular Round at Muirfield

In 1992, Nick Faldo carded a round of 64 at Muirfield during the Open Championship.

1992: Open Championship Win After Cook's Mistakes

Nick Faldo's Open Championship win in 1992 was achieved after John Cook made mistakes in the closing two holes.

July 1993: Carroll's Irish Open Win

In July 1993, Faldo won the Carroll's Irish Open for an unprecedented third time in a row after a playoff with José María Olazábal.

1993: Spectacular Round at Royal St George's

In 1993, Nick Faldo carded a round of 63 at Royal St George's during the Open Championship.

1994: Spectacular Round at Turnberry

In 1994, Nick Faldo carded a round of 64 at Turnberry during the Open Championship.

1995: Focus on U.S. PGA Tour

In 1995, Faldo decided to concentrate on playing on the U.S. PGA Tour to pursue further major championships.

April 1996: Sixth Major Championship at the Masters

In April 1996, Nick Faldo won his sixth and final major championship at the Masters.

1996: Major Tournament Wins

From 1987 through 1996, Nick Faldo had more professional major tournament wins than any other player in the world, totaling six.

1996: Masters Victory and Norman Collapse

In 1996, Faldo won the Masters after Greg Norman's collapse, shooting a 67 in the final round to win by five strokes. He offered words of encouragement to Norman after the round.

1996: Launch of the Faldo Series

In 1996, Nick Faldo launched the Faldo Series to provide opportunities to young golfers under the age of 21 from around the world.

1996: Masters win

In 1996, after Faldo's victory at the Masters, he had just one further tournament win in his career.

1997: Nissan Open Win

In 1997, Faldo won the Nissan Open in Los Angeles at the age of 39, which was his last tournament win.

1997: Establishment of The Faldo Golf Institute

In 1997, Nick Faldo established The Faldo Golf Institute along with the Marriott hotel chain, offering a golf instructional program.

2001: Last Regular Season on PGA Tour

In 2001, Nick Faldo played his last season regularly on the PGA Tour, after which he refocused on the European Tour.

2002: U.S. Open Tied for 5th Place

In 2002, a month before his 45th birthday, Faldo finished in a very creditable position of tied for 5th place at the U.S. Open.

2003: Open Championship Tie for Eighth Place

In 2003, Faldo tied for eighth place at the Open Championship, marking his last top-10 finish in a major championship.

2004: Broadcasting Career Begins

In 2004, Nick Faldo became a broadcaster for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage, working alongside Paul Azinger and Mike Tirico.

October 2006: Signs with CBS

On October 3, 2006, Nick Faldo signed a contract with CBS to replace Lanny Wadkins as the network's lead golf analyst, a decision that would curtail his playing career.

2006: Lead Golf Analyst for CBS Sports

In 2006, Faldo became the lead golf analyst for CBS Sports, transitioning into a broadcasting role.

2006: Broadcasting Career with ABC Sports Ends

In 2006, Nick Faldo concluded his work as a broadcaster for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage, where he had worked alongside Paul Azinger and Mike Tirico.

2006: Sporadic Tournament Appearances

In 2006, Nick Faldo's appearances in professional tournaments were sporadic. Besides competing in the Masters and the Open Championship, he only participated in two other European Tour events during 2006.

2007: Brand Ambassador for Mercedes-Benz

In 2007, Mercedes-Benz signed Nick Faldo to act as a brand ambassador to promote the revival of the Maybach brand of ultra-luxury automobiles.

2007: Lead Analyst for Golf Channel

In 2007, Nick Faldo became the lead analyst for Golf Channel's coverage on the PGA Tour and missed the Masters.

2007: Limited Tournament Appearances and Senior British Open

In the first half of 2007, Nick Faldo didn't participate in any regular tour events but he did play in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie, missing the cut. He finished tied for 14th in the Senior British Open, marking his first Champions Tour event.

2008: Absence from The Open

In 2008, Nick Faldo did not participate in The Open at Royal Birkdale, which was the first time he missed the competition since 1975.

2008: Ryder Cup Captaincy

In 2008, Nick Faldo was selected as captain of the European Ryder Cup team. Team USA won the 37th Ryder Cup, held at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, ending Team Europe's streak of three successive victories.