Nick Faldo's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Nick Faldo. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

1914: Historical Context of Major Wins

Since World War I in 1914, Nick Faldo has won more major golf championships than any player from Europe.

1965: Jack Nicklaus Masters win

In 1990, Faldo became the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1965-66 to win back-to-back Masters titles.

1970: Tony Jacklin's Major Win

In 1988 at the U.S. Open, Faldo missed a putt that would have made him the first British player since Tony Jacklin in 1970 to hold both major national championships.

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.

1979: Seve Ballesteros' Major Wins (Context)

Seve Ballesteros won five majors from 1979 to 1988.

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.

1982: Tom Watson wins two majors

The following month after the 1990 U.S. Open, Faldo won his second Open Championship becoming the first golfer since Tom Watson in 1982 to win two majors in the same year.

1983: Top of the Order of Merit

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

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: Member of the Order of the British Empire

In the 1988 New Year Honours, Nick Faldo was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to golf.

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.

1988: Seve Ballesteros' Major Wins (Context)

Seve Ballesteros won five majors from 1979 to 1988.

1989: European Tour Player of the Year

In 1989, Nick Faldo was named the European Tour Player of the Year.

1989: BBC Sports Personality of the Year

In 1989, Nick Faldo was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

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: 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: Awards and Titles

In 1990, Nick Faldo was named the PGA Tour Player of the Year and the European Tour Player of the Year.

1990: Masters Title After Floyd's Error

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

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: European Tour Player of the Year

In 1992, Nick Faldo was named the European Tour Player of the Year.

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.

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.

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.

1998: Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

In 1998, Nick Faldo was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

2000: Ranked 18th Greatest Golfer

In 2000, Golf Digest magazine ranked Nick Faldo as the 18th greatest golfer of all time.

2003: Sandy Jones's assessment of Faldo's Career

In 2003, PGA chief executive Sandy Jones stated that Nick Faldo's career achievements position him as Britain's best golfer of all time.

2009: Knight Bachelor

In the 2009 Birthday Honours, Nick Faldo was made a Knight Bachelor for services to golf.

2012: Brandt Snedeker ties record

In 1992 at the Open Championship, Faldo's first two rounds of 66-64 broke the Open Championship record for the lowest first 36 holes, a record later tied by Brandt Snedeker in 2012.