Aching Faldo gives it another shot

NICK FALDO admitted he was ‘aching all over’ but still hopes to spring a surprise when the second European Tour event of the season opens in Hong Kong today.

The six-time major winner is, alongside defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal, the star attraction in the £450,000 Omega Hong Kong Open, being played over the short, par-69 Fanling course.

Faldo has not tasted victory since the Nissan Open in California five years ago, but the dedication which drove him to worldwide success in the late 80s and early 90s does not appear to have diminished.

"The body's done a few million miles of travelling and I've beaten an awful lot of golf balls," the 45-year-old said.

"I am a seasoned campaigner now. Nowadays, my knees ache, my elbow aches and the body is a bit older.

"But I aim to spring a big surprise."

What should give Faldo some relief from his weary bones are the memories of his last visit to the Fanling

fairways in 1990, when he was at the height of his career.

That year, in which he also won both the US Masters and the Open, he triumphed in the inaugural Johnnie Walker Classic.

"Yes, 1990, I was at the peak of my powers. I won two majors that year and it doesn't get much better than that," Faldo said.

Faldo, who arrived by helicopter for a charity chipping competition on a temporary layout at the former Kai Tak airport yesterday, said he had to be on his game from the first tee of the 6,466-yard course.

"I'd like to get off to a good start. That's the key. I really would like to get out and play really well from day one. I have been striking the ball well and I just have to put it all together and it will be interesting to see

what happens over the four days."

Last year's tournament was memorable chiefly for the finale served up by Olazabal. Needing to birdie the final three holes for victory, the two-time US Masters champion did just that, sealing his success with one of the shots of the year, a five-iron to six inches at the 18th.

But Olazabal confessed he was not hitting the standards that had propelled him to top-six placings in the first five events of last year's tour.

"My game is not as sharp as it was last year, mainly because of my putting. I was making a lot of putts last year."

Other big names in the field include Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn and Thailand's highly-rated Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Thongchai Jaidee.

Meanwhile Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia will lock horns again at the Nedbank Golf Challenge today.

The young Spaniard beat Els in a sudden-death playoff in the same event last year, but the South African had a measure of revenge when he beat

Garcia in the final of the Cisco World Matchplay earlier this year.

Garcia would relish the chance to put one over Els once again, especially in the South African's own backyard.

"I think it will be another great week, it always is here," Garcia said. "It's a wonderful place and we always enjoy it.

"To have another match-up like we did last year would be great. It's a wonderful chance to play against Ernie, he's a good friend of mine and I enjoy playing with him. It's one-all at the moment, so we'll see."

Els has been paired with Pádraig Harrington winner of the BMW Asian Open last week while Garcia will be last off alongside American Bob Estes.

Ryder Cup team-mates Montgomerie and Clarke will get proceedings underway at 9.40am.