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 retired English professional golfer celebrated as one of the sport's all-time greats. He held the No. 1 position in the Official World Golf Ranking for 97 weeks, demonstrating his dominance. Faldo accumulated 41 professional wins, including 30 on the European Tour. He secured six major championships, winning three Open Championships and three Masters Tournaments.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 1974: Missed Walker Cup Place

In November 1974, Faldo's successes came too late to gain a Walker Cup place that year, as the team was selected in November 1974 and the match was played in late May.

November 1975: Commonwealth Tournament Representation

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

1975: Failed to qualify for the Open as an amateur

In 1975, Nick Faldo failed to qualify for the Open Championship as an amateur.

1976: Turned Professional

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

1977: Ryder Cup Player

In 1977, Faldo became the youngest Ryder Cup player at the age of 20, winning all three of his matches, including a win over Jack Nicklaus and an astonishing singles victory over Tom Watson.

1978: Success on the European Tour

In 1978, Faldo achieved success on the European Tour, finishing third on the Order of Merit and winning a European Tour event.

1980: Sun Alliance PGA Championship Win

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

1981: Consecutive Sun Alliance PGA Championship Win

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

1983: Order of Merit Victory

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

1984: Drought Ends with Spanish Open Win

In 1984, Faldo had not won a European Tour event until his victory at the Peugeot Spanish Open in May 1987, which ended his winless drought.

May 1987: Peugeot Spanish Open Victory

In May 1987, Faldo won the Peugeot Spanish Open, marking his first European Tour victory since 1984 and 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, winning by one shot after a steady final round of parring every hole.

1987: Start of Faldo's dominance

From 1987 through 1996, Nick Faldo secured six professional major tournament wins, surpassing all other players globally.

1987: 18 consecutive pars at the Open Championship

In 1987, Nick Faldo had a final round of 18 consecutive pars at the Open Championship, exemplifying steady play under pressure.

1987: The Open Championship Victory

In 1987, Nick Faldo won his first major championship at The Open Championship.

1987: Open Championship win after Paul Azinger's mistake

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, Faldo tied for the lead at the U.S. Open but lost in an 18-hole playoff to Curtis Strange by four strokes.

1988: Lost to Curtis Strange in U.S. Open playoff

In 1988, Nick Faldo lost to Curtis Strange in the U.S. Open playoff.

1989: Masters Victory

In 1989, Faldo won the Masters after a playoff with Scott Hoch, marking his second major championship.

1989: Masters win after Scott Hoch's mistake

Nick Faldo's Masters win in 1989 came after Scott Hoch missed a short putt.

1990: Third Place Finish at U.S. Open

In 1990, Faldo finished tied for 3rd place at the U.S. Open at Medinah Country Club, narrowly missing out on a playoff by one stroke.

1990: Masters Title Defence

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

1990: Multiple Victories

In 1990, Nick Faldo achieved significant success, including winning the Open Championship and the Masters Tournament.

1990: Masters win after Raymond Floyd's mistake

Nick Faldo's Masters win in 1990 occurred after Raymond Floyd hit into a pond.

1991: Launched Faldo Design

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

1992: European Tour Order of Merit Win

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

1992: Shot a 64 at Muirfield

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

1992: Third Open Championship Win

In 1992, Nick Faldo won his third Open Championship at Muirfield, overcoming a lost lead and finishing one stroke ahead of John Cook.

1992: Emotional Open Victory

In 1992, after winning the Open Championship at Muirfield, Faldo displayed visible emotion, a departure from his stoic image.

1992: Open Championship win after John Cook's mistake

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

July 1993: Carroll's Irish Open Win

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

1993: Shot a 63 at Royal St George's

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

1994: Shot a 64 at Turnberry

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

1995: Focus on the U.S. PGA Tour

In 1995, Faldo decided to concentrate on playing on the U.S. PGA Tour, with the goal of winning further major championships.

April 1996: Masters Victory

In April 1996, Nick Faldo won a famous victory at Augusta to collect his sixth and final major championship.

1996: Masters Victory and Subsequent Career

After Faldo's victory at the 1996 Masters, he only secured one more tournament win in his career at the 1997 Nissan Open in Los Angeles. As Faldo entered his forties, his form gradually declined and he devoted more time to off-course activities.

1996: End of Faldo's dominance

From 1987 through 1996, Nick Faldo secured six professional major tournament wins, surpassing all other players globally.

1996: Launched 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 Tournament Victory

In 1996, Nick Faldo secured another victory at the Masters Tournament, adding to his collection of major championship wins.

1996: 1996 Masters Win

In 1996, Nick Faldo won the Masters after Greg Norman's collapse, shooting a final round of 67 to win by five shots.

1996: Masters win after Greg Norman's collapse

Nick Faldo's Masters win in 1996 resulted from a collapse by Greg Norman.

1997: Nissan Open Win

In 1997, Faldo won the Nissan Open in Los Angeles at the age of 39.

1997: Established The Faldo Golf Institute

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

1998: Ended partnership with David Leadbetter

In 1998, Nick Faldo's partnership with David Leadbetter ended when Faldo dispensed with his services by letter.

2001: Last Regular Season on PGA Tour

In 2001, Faldo's last season playing regularly on the PGA Tour. Afterwards, he refocused on the European Tour and consistently played less than a full schedule.

2002: Creditable Finish at U.S. Open

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: Last Top-10 Finish in Major Championship

At the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George's, Faldo finished in a tie for eighth place. It was Faldo's last top-10 finish in a major championship.

2004: Broadcaster for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage

In 2004, Nick Faldo began broadcasting for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage, working alongside Paul Azinger and Mike Tirico. Faldo's dry wit and insightful commentary surprised many fans.

2005: Increasingly sporadic appearances in tournaments

After 2005, Faldo's appearances in professional golf tournaments became increasingly sporadic.

October 2006: Signed with CBS as lead golf analyst

In October 2006, Faldo signed a contract with CBS to replace Lanny Wadkins as their lead golf analyst, which Faldo viewed as a "fabulous opportunity". This decision significantly curtailed his playing career, causing him to miss the 2007 Masters.

2006: Lead Golf Analyst for CBS Sports

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

2006: Broadcaster for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage

In 2006, Nick Faldo continued broadcasting for ABC Sports' PGA Tour coverage, working alongside Paul Azinger and Mike Tirico. Faldo's dry wit and insightful commentary continued to be a part of the ABC team's broadcast.

2006: Played in the Masters and Open Championship

In 2006, Nick Faldo played in the Masters and at the Open Championship, as well as two events on the European Tour.

2007: Lead analyst for Golf Channel & Missed the Masters

In 2007, Faldo became the lead analyst for Golf Channel's coverage of the PGA Tour. His decision to join CBS and Golf Channel led him to miss the 2007 Masters, an event he had won three times.

2007: Played in the Open at Carnoustie and Senior British Open

In 2007, Faldo did not appear in any regular tour events in the first half of the year. He played in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie, missing the cut. He finished tied for 14th in the Senior British Open, his first Champions Tour event.

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.

2008: Did not take part in the Open at Royal Birkdale

In 2008, Nick Faldo did not participate in the Open at Royal Birkdale, marking the first time he had not taken part in the competition since 1975.

2008: Captain of the European Ryder Cup team

In 2008, Nick Faldo was selected as captain of the European Ryder Cup team. The Team USA won, ending Team Europe's streak of three successive victories.

2009: Reunion telecast for the Presidents Cup

In 2009, Azinger joined Faldo and Brian Hammons on Golf Channel for the Presidents Cup, marking a reunion telecast for the analysts.

2009: Entered the Open at Turnberry

In 2009, Nick Faldo entered the Open at Turnberry but missed the 36-hole cut.

2010: Entered the Open at St Andrews

In 2010, Nick Faldo entered the Open at St Andrews but missed the 36-hole cut.

2011: Did not take part in the Open at Royal St George's

In 2011, Nick Faldo opted not to participate in the Open at Royal St George's.

2012: Joined BBC Sport for Open Championship Coverage

In 2012, Faldo joined the BBC Sport on-air team to provide coverage and commentary for the Open Championship.

2012: Joined BBC Sport commentary team for the Open

In 2012, Nick Faldo decided not to compete in the Open, instead joining the BBC Sport commentary team for the event.

2013: Competed at the Open at Muirfield

In 2013, Nick Faldo competed at the Open at Muirfield but missed the cut.

2015: Final Open Championship appearance at St Andrews

In 2015, Nick Faldo decided to make the Open at St Andrews his final Open Championship appearance.

August 2022: Retired from CBS

In August 2022, Nick Faldo retired from CBS after 16 years in the broadcast booth. His final regular broadcast was at the Wyndham Championship.

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