Nicholas Alexander "Nick" Faldo

The Briton Nick Faldo (born on July 18, 1957 in Welwyn Garden City) is - like Bernhard Langer - one of the best European golfers of all time.

He, too, belongs to the "Big Five," a squad of professional golfers born within twelve months of each other around the year 1957, who have won a Major title at least once and who have made Europe competitive in the Ryder Cup.

Early affinity for the sport

Even as a child, Faldo showed a great affinity for sports. He was so successful in various sports at a young age that he soon decided to become a professional athlete.

For a long time, for example, he was successful as a swimmer, and later he considered a career as a professional cyclist.

Through Jack Nicklaus to the game of golf

At the age of 13, he saw Jack Nicklaus on television and decided to take up golf himself. Four years later, he won the English Amateur and British Youth Championships while working as a carpet installer as his main job. In 1976, he went to the University of Houston for a year before turning professional at 19.

In his very first season, he won his first tournament on the European Tour. His breakthrough from good player to top professional came in the mid-1980s after he worked with the famous golf instructor David Leadbetter to completely redefine his swing.

In total, Faldo has earned 41 titles, including six majors. He has won the Masters three times and the British Open three times.

In the early 1990s, Nick Faldo was considered the best golfer in the world, leading the world rankings for 97 weeks. His sporting rivalry with Greg Norman is also remembered. In 1997, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Record player at the Ryder Cup

Faldo is the record player at the Ryder Cup. With eleven appearances, he played more often for the European team than any other participant. His 25 points scored are also a record.

Faldo has contributed significantly to the current popularity of the competition between the USA and Europe. In 2008, he captained the European team that lost at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

Work for television

Today Nick Faldo lives in Orlando, Florida. He works for American television as a golf analyst. With his company Faldo Design he creates golf courses all over the world.

He also runs five golf schools together with the Marriott hotel chain. He has been married three times and has four children. In 2009, Faldo was knighted and holds the title of a Knight Bachelor.

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