Faldo cherishes his place in history

NICK FALDO can be curt and very much to the point.

And so he was yesterday at Augusta as he pondered the possibility of Tiger Woods this week becoming the first player in history to win a hat-trick of green jackets at the Masters.

"I hope he doesn't do it," Faldo exclaimed. "I'm being as nice as I can about this but I want the three of us Jack (Nicklaus), Tiger and myself to share the honour. I don't want it to be him."

You might well wonder why Faldo is talking up Woods's chance to stake another claim for posterity rather than going out there and destroying Tiger's chances himself.

After all, Faldo insists he can play himself into next year's Ryder Cup and that's why he's not seeking the captaincy. Still, it is refreshing to see such honesty and straight talking and Faldo clearly cherishes seeing his name set among the game's largest titans Nicklaus and Woods.

Faldo's major era (1987-96) is wedged between Nicklaus and Woods. Nicklaus captured the last of his six Masters in 1986 and Woods's first came in 1997.

"I never really played against either Jack or Tiger, I sort of slotted in the middle," he says before returning to a familiar theme blaming the media for all the hype they created in the build-up to his hat-trick bid in 1992. It will be recalled that he loves golf writers so much he once thanked them "from the heart of my bottom", after a British Open triumph.

Faldo had play-off wins over Scott Hoch and Raymond Floyd to his credit when he arrived for the 1992 renewal and if he was being entirely honest, it was the fragile state of his game more than the level of expectation that proved his undoing. It had first peaked in 1990 when he won his second Masters and the Open and he had it back again in 1992 when he again lifted the old claret jug. From then until 94, he was the number one player in the world for 81 consecutive weeks.

"You know in your heart of hearts if you have a chance," he said. "In 91, my game went off a little and if you're not comfortable, you're not comfortable. Then there was the media that was my biggest hurdle. As soon as you come out to play, they're talking about the grand slam. It was all too much."

With all the attention on him, Faldo shot an opening level par 72, good enough only for a share of 31st and five behind a trio of leaders. A 73 on Friday proved his undoing.

He was now nine shots back of Tom Watson while a 66 by Ian Woosnam eased him into second spot.

The 67 and 70 through the weekend was respectable and Faldo tied for 12th, five behind Woosnam who at least kept the green jacket in Britain.

The main difference Faldo now sees between himself and Woods is the American's facility to make himself immune to exterior pressures.

"Tiger is number one, he's got spotlight on him, and he goes and delivers," says Faldo with undisguised admiration.

"I was a golfer first and the media came along and those bloody fellas kept sticking tape recorders in my face. I went to majors as the world No 1 and well favoured and went and won. Too bad I don't know how I did it now."

In spite of a glittering career, the Irish Open remains the only tournament he has won in three successive years. So sharing the Masters record with Nicklaus and Woods, arguably the two greatest players the game has seen, is important to the Englishman.

"I'm very proud of the fact only Jack, Tiger and myself have done it," says Faldo. "I was proud of the 1990 Masters because I went there with the intention of winning. That's a different ball game than just rolling up and having a great week."

Faldo isn't known to have a flutter but you have no doubt where his money would rest this week if he were to break out. He doesn't look beyond Woods and clearly feels his place in a little bit of Masters history is about to be blown out the window.

"Knowing Tiger, the bottom line is who is going to stop him," Faldo says.

"The only one who's going to stop Tiger is Tiger. But I'm still hoping for help from any quarter. Let's put all the pressure on him."