Faldo to Make Open Swan Song at St. Andrews


Nick Faldo has announced he'll be making his final appearance in the Open Championship, which will be held this year on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

The 57-year-old Englishman and six-time major champion won his second of three Claret Jugs at the venerable Scottish links in 1990, when he beat Zimbabwe's Mark McNulty and American Payne Stewart by five strokes.

"The Open and St. Andrews will forever hold a significant place in my heart. My fondest moments on my journey with this great sport are woven with pictures and emotions in this setting. It all means a huge amount to me," Faldo said in a statement.

"I look forward to celebrating all that golf has given me as I cross that storied bridge and the wonderful memories I share with many people. I am grateful for it all and grateful to golf."

Faldo, now the lead analyst on CBS Sports' golf telecasts, said last year that he considered calling it quits at Royal Liverpool. But the emotional pull of St. Andrews - and the likelihood of posing on the 18th hole's iconic Swilcan Bridge similar to other retiring greats - was too hard to resist.

"The problem is as you get older you can't run, jump or throw it as far as you used to," Faldo said about his Open swan song. "If I could play like Nick Faldo used to play, I'd rather be a golfer forever and a day."

Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the R&A, told BBC Sport: "Sir Nick Faldo is an inspirational figure in British golf and has enjoyed a remarkable career in the Open. I'm sure there will be great anticipation among the galleries at St. Andrews to see him play in the Open once again and he will receive a rousing ovation worthy of a great champion."

Also playing for the last time this year is Tom Watson, a five-time winner of the British Open. Watson has never won at St. Andrews.