As an 18-year-old, Nick Faldo was awestruck by Tom Watson and the way the American would hit the ball during the British Open at Carnoustie.
More than three decades later, the relationship between the two golfing legends have changed significantly. No longer is Faldo the inspired kid and Watson the role model.
This week, they are peers, fellow pros and playing partners at Muirfield, the place where Faldo won two of his Open titles and the course where he makes his debut at the Senior British Open.
It is more than 10 years since Faldo last won a Major title, the US Masters, and at last week’s British Open in Carnoustie, he failed to make the cut.
The 50-year-old doesn’t do much playing these days, with his expertise usually more sought in the commentary box, designing golf courses or helping to groom the next generation of golf stars, be it from Britain or Asia.
As such, he is not confident about his chances of becoming the new kid on the block, as far as seniors are concerned, anyway.
As he said in an AP article:
“I have been busy with TV and course design visits across Europe and America.This my longest season of golf – two weeks – in the year. I can go on memories, but I still have to hit the golf ball. These guys have played probably 20 tournaments this year. I have played two weeks.â€
Still, if it’s memories he wants, there’s no better place to look than Muirfield. In 1987, Faldo made 18 straight pars in the final round to win the tournament. In 1992, he beat John Cook for another Open title.
